Catalyst

Catalyst

I did not know Lee Bennett Hopkins. There are many people writing sad remembrances of a man who did so much for children's poetry. While I didn't know him, someone I do know worked closely with him in many projects. She feels the loss. I wanted to provide a text that isn't about loss but legacy. Here's my story about what I saw Lee bringing into the world.

I'm building on Lee's poem "Once More" published in "America at War" (https://www.amazon.com/America-War-Selected-Bennett-Hopkins/dp/1416918329).

Catalyst

I sit

alone

on the edge of the bed

throwing stars into the sky.

Some I toss near

an arm's length away

lighting up the night

I can feel their heat

see their brightness growing.

Some I throw far

distant points

I'll never see their light

nor feel their warmth

they'll be seen on the darkest nights.

I sit

alone

on the edge of the bed

watching other beds coming out of the stars.

On each bed

someone sits alone

throwing stars

near and

far.

All of us

gliding through the sky

sitting on the edge of our bed

together.