Sunflower Tanka Journal Issue 1 is out! and dVerse OLN375 — A Granddaughter’s Smile

sunflower tanka journal issue 1 120924

I have some poems in this journal.  Quality poeming will be found within.  If you’re looking for a gift for a poem lover, this is the one to buy.  amazon  LINK to purchase in digital and paperback formats.

Here is one I submitted that didn’t make the cut:

A Granddaughter’s Smile

Every Tuesday, I drive to Grand Rapids and meet up with my family at Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. We wander around inside and outside. Sometimes we wander to the green bowl that holds Nina Akamu’s twenty-four foot tall bronze, “The American Horse,” that is fashioned after drawings by Leonardo DaVinci. It is one of only two identical sculptures; the other is in Milan, Italy.

I usually wait at the bottom of the hill, on a bench, watching three year-old granddaughter climb to the top with her parents and/or her uncle. Last Tuesday, her parents were under the weather, and her uncle wasn’t there. Granddaughter asked, “Grammy, will you climb the hill with me?”

Old body says no way
but heart cannot disappoint her;
small steps to the top.
She reaches it first and turns,
her whole face alight.

resized top of davinci horse bowl 20241008_192550 edited

Lillian is today’s host for this, our last dVerse prompt of the year, Open Link Night.

58 Comments Add yours

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Thanks, Melissa!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Steve's avatar Steve says:

        You’re welcome, Lisa!

        Liked by 1 person

  1. Carol anne's avatar Carol anne says:

    Going to go buy this book now! I love your poetry Li :-) well done getting some included in this journal! And your so kind not wanting to disappoint your grand daughter. X

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Badfinger (Max)'s avatar Badfinger (Max) says:

    Awesome Lisa! That is so cool being published.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      :) It feels great too.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Badfinger (Max)'s avatar Badfinger (Max) says:

        I bet it does! Hopefully it will keep happening.

        Liked by 1 person

  3. Lovely! Congratulations, Li, that’s wonderful. ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Thanks much, Punam. Merril’s got a few in there also.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. You are welcome. That’s great. I will surely check it out.

        Liked by 1 person

  4. Sadje's avatar Sadje says:

    Aww, so beautiful. Grandkids can make us do things which we thought were impossible. ❤️❤️❤️

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      YES. Thank you, my friend.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Sadje's avatar Sadje says:

        You’re very welcome ☺️

        Liked by 1 person

  5. A sweet tale of love and dedication.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      She’s the joy of my world since she was born. Do you have any grandkids?

      Like

      1. No… my kids aren’t going for off-spring… as of yet, anyway.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

          She is my only grandchild and may end up being my only grandchild.

          Like

  6. What a wonderful climb to the top of that hill… it was worth it.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      There is nothing I wouldn’t do for her, or die trying. Thank you, Bjorn.

      Like

  7. lillian's avatar lillian says:

    Congratulations on the journal inclusion! And I LOVE what you’ve posted here! The trek is always worth it to see a grandchild’s face light up! ;)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Thanks very much, Lillian :)

      Like

  8. Nicely done. The young remind us of the possibilities that still await us.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      For sure, Ken.

      Like

  9. I adore this poem Lisa, the joy, I can just see your grandaughter’s face. Congratulations on having your poems published too! Well done! :)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Di, many thanks. She is my joy.

      Like

  10. Helen's avatar Helen says:

    If I had been the decision maker ~~ this would have been included! I love grandchild/grandparent stories. And I loved yours.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Helen, thank you and appreciate your appreciation <3

      Like

  11. She’ll keep you young. This haibun shines like your grand daughter’s smile.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      She does, D. Thank you <3

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I was here while you were over at my place!

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

          gpta (great poets think alike) ;)

          Liked by 1 person

  12. kim881's avatar kim881 says:

    Congratulations on publication in the journal, Lisa, and thank you for sharing a delightful haibun from the point of view of a grandmother – as you know I’m back from a week with the grandsons. Well done for reaching the top!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Thanks, Kim. Slow and steady got me there. She went up and down it 3 times! Unreal her amount of energy. Grandkids do keep us young, don’t they.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. kim881's avatar kim881 says:

        Poor Lucas has chicken pox and won’t be able to play his part in the school nativity play.

        Liked by 1 person

  13. merrildsmith's avatar merrildsmith says:

    Such a lovely story, Li! I can imagine her little face all aglow. 💙💙

    (Our first grandchild will be born in February.)

    It’s fun we’re poet buddies in this book!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Yes, she is a lively little being that makes all that came before the big win. Oh, that’s awesome, Merril. Your first grandchild! Yes on the book :)

      Liked by 1 person

  14. sanaarizvi's avatar sanaarizvi says:

    I can’t believe this one didn’t make the cut, Lisa! It’s a beauty of a poem. ❤️❤️❤️

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Sanaa, thank you so much for your always kind comments <3

      Like

  15. rothpoetry's avatar rothpoetry says:

    A beautiful story, Lisa.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Thank you, Dwight. I know you have a lot of grandkids stories that you have told.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. rothpoetry's avatar rothpoetry says:

        They are wonderful and great times together!

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

          Great to see you today at LIVE, Dwight. My internet was cutting in and out and didn’t get to hear you read your poem, darn it.

          Liked by 1 person

          1. rothpoetry's avatar rothpoetry says:

            It was a great meeting today. So good to have you join us. You really missed it!! So sad. :>) Oh, well maybe next time. It was a great group today!

            Liked by 1 person

            1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

              Yes it was. A nice gift for the season.

              Liked by 1 person

  16. Rob Kistner's avatar Rob Kistner says:

    Nice to see you today Li(sa) — and happy holidays my friend. Sorry if I was awkward, I was really happy to be with the group. 🙂 ✌🏼🫶🏼

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Rob, it was nice to see you also. I didn’t see awkwardness in you, but I think we were both a little sad when Glenn’s name came up. I miss him so much. I was happy to spend some time this morning with the group. I loved hearing you read your poem. I wanted to tell you it reminded me of Joni Mitchell’s cosmic masterpiece, Woodstock, “we are stardust, we are golden”

      Like

  17. Sunra Rainz's avatar Sunra Rainz says:

    Love the sentiment in the poem, msjadeli, and the accompanying photo. Congratulations on getting your poems into Sunflower Tanka 🌻

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Sunra, thanks much.

      Liked by 1 person

  18. Jules's avatar Jules says:

    Three is a magical age… now my grands are too busy with school and other activities. We have to plan time with them. We’ll see them soon for our holiday gathering.

    Yes, a fine journal it is too! All the best! ~Jules

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      We had a grand time at fmg today. She saw one of her little friends there.

      Like

  19. A lovely post, Lisa. This is a beautiful book and your. Introductions are fabulous 🌻💛

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Robbie, thanks so much! You painted a beauty of a picture for the cover <3

      Like

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