"She picks up a round white stone,
smoothed by the sea,
closing my hand over it -
warm from her hand.
"It has a story, Lucy," my poet tells me.
What story is that?
Poets are word collectors. In this book that Patricia MacLachlan writes in memory of Mary Oliver, she helps listening children see how poems develop from the world they see around them. Lucy's 'poet' lives next door. As they walk together, both look for words. Lucy carries a notebook, and is always tuned into the way her friend is observant about dogs, the sand on the beach, flowers, stones, birds. the marsh, and weather. If you know Mary Oliver's poetry, you will see the similarities.
First-person narration by the child who spends so much time with her friend is quiet and gentle, in keeping with the many discoveries made as they wander. Lucy learns and creates as the two spend time together. The poet reacts enthusiastically to Lucy's attempts at creating her own poetry. When they are not together, Lucy continues to hone a craft that she hopes will one day be hers.
"Are you writing something, Lucy?" she asks.
"I'm still looking for the words," I say.
She puts her hand on her head,
then over her heart.
"The words are here," she says. "You just
have to find them."
And I know the secret!
She listens.
She touches."
Jen Hill's charming gouache artwork perfectly matches the soft tone of this story of friendship and inspiration. The story concludes with a poem by the young girl. An author's note adds context.
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