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I Like Ladybugs

Eight years old on that January Wednesday Little hesitant steps into the schoolyard Everyone has stranger's eyes Mazes of hallways, lunchroom arena, playground cliques Expedited heartbeat, ceiling too high to the New kid, the foreigner, the interloper Throat too tight, mouth too dry Anxiety blocks my words, even my name, then Ringing bells, summoning students in a river, and do You need help, the kind lady is asking Soothing hand on my shoulder, guides me to Class, chattering kids, tables and pencils, one girl says Hi, do you like bugs - I laugh and One friend is made - she makes room for the Outsider, and I say yes, I like Ladybugs - and suddenly I belong. 12/04/18 for My Youth contest sponsor: Craig Cornish

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Susan Ashley

Date: 12/27/2018 9:41:00 AM

Your poem is so inspirited with moving emotion, Michelle. A heartfelt piece that is felt deeply in this reader’s heart. I love ladybugs too. A fantastic poem. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan

Funom Makama

Date: 12/18/2018 10:50:00 AM

Lord God! This has excited me to my soul... My spirit dances like a redeemed bastard with your lines... Keep on writing dear friend.

Michelle Faulkner
Date: 12/18/2018 4:12:00 PM

Thank you for your comment!

Carolyn Devonshire

Date: 12/15/2018 2:49:00 PM

Ah, how wonderful it is when the first student reaches out to welcome a newcomer, Michelle. So glad you made a friend. Congratulations on a great win in Craig's contest! Sending wishes for holiday cheer, Carolyn

Michelle Faulkner
Date: 12/15/2018 3:42:00 PM

Thanks for your cheery comment, Carolyn, happy holidays to you too!

Gregory Richard Barden

Date: 12/15/2018 10:46:00 AM

Sincere congratulations on your win in Craig's "My Youth" contest, Michelle - blessings and best wishes to you and yours for a wonderful holiday season! Keep the wonderful ink flowing, my friend! :-) <3

Michelle Faulkner
Date: 12/15/2018 3:42:00 PM

Thank you, holiday wishes to you as well!

Wendy Watson

Date: 12/15/2018 10:33:00 AM

Congratulations on your win, Michelle. I 'followed you ' into that situation in my mind and your anxiety then relief were palpable! Your new-found friend would never have dreamt that she'd feature in a winning poem one day!

Michelle Faulkner
Date: 12/15/2018 3:44:00 PM

Thank you for your kind comments, Wendy, much appreciated!

Gershon Wolf

Date: 12/11/2018 3:49:00 PM

Nice narrative....Who can't relate?! ... Tenderly and lovingly written ... It felt real to me, as if I were right there. :) gw

Michelle Faulkner
Date: 12/11/2018 10:49:00 PM

So appreciate your touching comments, my friend!

P.S. Awtry

Date: 12/10/2018 1:35:00 PM

ladybugs are the best! for goodness sake they have POLKA-DOTS! You described that first day of school feeling so well. Such brave little troopers children are :)

Michelle Faulkner
Date: 12/10/2018 1:53:00 PM

Thanks for your fun comment, P.S!

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 12/9/2018 8:31:00 PM

this is TOO cute. I betcha this will get a win. I love ladybugs too!! Someone told me their dots respresented their number of years, but i suppose someone made that up!!~

Michelle Faulkner
Date: 12/9/2018 10:53:00 PM

So glad you like it!

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 12/9/2018 8:30:00 PM

You said we had the same title "their voices" but i can't find your poem . Let me read this one instead.

Michelle Faulkner
Date: 12/9/2018 10:52:00 PM

Hi Andrea - 'Their Voices' is one of the winners in the 'Voices' contest, you can find it there-

Harry Horsman

Date: 12/6/2018 3:26:00 PM

Takes me back, 70 years Michelle, and i cried, the first time the bond between my mother and had been broken, and your wonderful poetry, places me way back there, and i thank you ever so much, for the memory.

Michelle Faulkner
Date: 12/7/2018 1:34:00 AM

Thank you, Harry, I am so touched by your response!

Lindsay Laurie

Date: 12/5/2018 11:54:00 PM

G'day Michelle … breaking the ice can be quite traumatic, but then the flood gates open - nicely written Michelle - Lindsay

Michelle Faulkner
Date: 12/7/2018 1:34:00 AM

Appreciate that, thanks!

Rhona Mcferran

Date: 12/5/2018 1:45:00 PM

Beautifully told... I could picture this so clearly! Love how you ended it- perfect!! ;)

Michelle Faulkner
Date: 12/8/2018 4:05:00 PM

Thank you for your kind words, Rhona!

M. L. Kiser

Date: 12/5/2018 7:03:00 AM

That's very cute; we all want to fit in; you did it well.

Michelle Faulkner
Date: 12/8/2018 4:05:00 PM

Thanks, glad you like it!

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 12/5/2018 12:35:00 AM

I am so glad this happened to you, and I am assuming it did as truth is written all over it, and fear, and honesty, and the feeling only a new kid can feel or ever recall. A feeling with no name for those of us who were never a new kid.

Michelle Faulkner
Date: 12/8/2018 4:08:00 PM

I was a Navy brat, so being the 'new kid' was a part of life - but this memory stands out-

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 12/4/2018 7:16:00 PM

And that’s all it takes!

Michelle Faulkner
Date: 12/8/2018 4:09:00 PM

Sometimes it is that simple!

Chris Green

Date: 12/4/2018 5:29:00 PM

This was really cute Michelle and I could almost hear the two girls talking in my head as I read this. I could definitely see the smiles at the end. This was adorable. : )

Michelle Faulkner
Date: 12/4/2018 5:47:00 PM

So grateful for your kind comment, Chris!

Jan Allison

Date: 12/4/2018 4:48:00 PM

I absolutely loved your poem Michelle Being the new kid on the block can be so traumatic - having worked in a school and seeing first hand how difficult it can be for children to integrate and then the ice is broken and life is so much sweeter:-) hugs Jan xx

Michelle Faulkner
Date: 12/4/2018 5:47:00 PM

Thanks, Jan, yes it was very hard sometimes!