color me a proud mama

I'd like to share with all of you a poem that my 13 year old daughter wrote for a class project.  It's based off of the poem, Mother to Son by Langston Hughes, and the assignment was to follow the format, but put your own spin on it. 

I seriously teared up when I read it last night and am still beaming with pride today.  Her talent never fails to impress and surprise me - I am so proud to be her mother. 

And now, without further ado, I bring to you the literary debut of my daughter, Bella...

Well, darling, I'll tell you:

Love for me ain't been no calm ocean

It's had sharks in it,

And urchins,

And jellyfish,

And turtles with no shells on their backs--

Silence.

But all the time

I'se been swimming away,

And floating on currents,

And touching bouys,

And sometimes diving so deep

Where there ain't been no life.

So noe, don't you drown.

Don't you quit paddling

'Cause you are too tired.

Don't you stop now --

For I'se still swimmin', honey,

I'se still diving.

And love for me ain't no calm ocean.

Bella 2009 (photo by me)