We posted this fabulous poem on Facebook last week and it generated such a tremendous response that the author has given us permission to reprint it here. For My Daugher is written by Sarah McMane, a poet and English teacher in upstate New York with a two-year old daughter. Clementine Paddleford, who is quoted in the poem, was an American food writer and journalist active in the early 20th century. FOR MY DAUGHTER By Sarah McMane “Never grow a wishbone, daughter, where your backbone ought to be.” – Clementine Paddleford Never play the princess when you can be the queen: rule the kingdom, swing a scepter, wear a crown of gold. Don’t dance in glass slippers, crystal carving up your toes -- be a barefoot Amazon instead, for those shoes will surely shatter on your feet. Never wear only pink when you can strut in crimson red, sweat in heather grey, and shimmer in sky blue, claim the golden sun upon your hair. Colors are for everyone, boys and girls, men and women -- be a verdant garden, the landscape of Versailles, not a pale primrose blindly pushed aside. Chase green dragons and one-eyed zombies, fierce and fiery toothy monsters, not merely lazy butterflies, sweet and slow on summer days. For you can tame the most brutish beasts with your wily wits and charm, and lizard scales feel just as smooth as gossamer insect wings. Tramp muddy through the house in a purple tutu and cowboy boots. Have a tea party in your overalls. Build a fort of birch branches, a zoo of Legos, a rocketship of Queen Anne chairs and coverlets, first stop on the moon. Dream of dinosaurs and baby dolls, bold brontosaurus and bookish Belle, not Barbie on the runway or Disney damsels in distress -- you are much too strong to play the simpering waif. Don a baseball cap, dance with Daddy, paint your toenails, climb a cottonwood. Learn to speak with both your mind and heart. For the ground beneath will hold you, dear -- know that you are free. And never grow a wishbone, daughter, where your backbone ought to be. ------------------------------------------------------ RELATED READING Our favorite picture book that similarly conveys a parents wishes and dreams for his or her Mighty Girl in such an inspirational manner is Neil Gaimans Blueberry Girl, a beautifully illustrated poetic tribute to courageous and adventurous girls. Gaiman wrote it for friend, singer Tori Amos, who was about to become the mother of a little girl, and its a lovely book for inspiring girls undertaking any life transitions or to welcome new babies. For more inspiration picture books perfect for celebrating special moments in the life of your Mighty Girl, visit our collection of Mighty Girl Books for Graduates. For stories of girls who defy convention, visit our Ultimate Guide to the Independent Princess which features dozens of stories of princesses who are smart, daring, and arent waiting around to be rescued!
Posted on: Sat, 22 Mar 2014 10:29:46 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015