Haiku Sticky #271

© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.

Happy Haiga Day!

See Tuesday's note for background on this insect.

© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.

Poetry Friday--"Cherish"

I'm back today with another Sketchbook Project poem. This makes thirteen. The sketchbook is 32 pages. I see page 1 as the title page, pages 2-3 as information about the National Child Labor Committee Collection at the Library of Congress, and Hine's work as photographer, then 14 photo/poem spreads, with a final page of information about the result of the NCLC's investigation.

I have one more poem to go. I think the hardest part of the project will be writing the factual material and assembling the book. I have to determine the order, and maintain a balance of girl-boy voices. A significant portion will be mill worker poems, and the rest will be a mix of other child laborers--newsies, pickers/packers, home workers, etc. If everything doesn't flow, then I may have to write a few more to substitute.

Caption: Two of the "helpers" in the Tifton Cotton Mill, Tifton, Ga. They work regularly. Date: January 1909. Photo taken by Lewis Wickes Hine, courtesy Library of Congress.

Cherish

Sister told me, "Cherish that friend."
When I asked her what that meant,
she said, "Keep smiling for Eddie."
We must laugh together. Sing while
we work. At break, whisper silly

words and secrets. And, I'm 'sposed
to listen when Eddie whispers in my ear.
Most of all, Sister told me to remember
the feelin' of her hand in mine--the
tangle of our sticky little-girl fingers.

"The Lord don't promise us nothing
here on earth but heartache and pain!"
she hollered at me. Hollered loud!
I was put in mind then--Sister
once had a friend, too, jus' like me.

Last year Sister stopped talking
bout her mill friend, Carrie, and I
figured she didn't like that girl
no more, but I think maybe she
'jus didn't hold on tight enough.

© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.

Interestingly, the little girl on the right was Eddie Lou Young, the name of the one on the left is unknown. You can read all about the search for Eddie Lou's mother's identity, here. I gave the voice of today's poem to the unknown child.

Renee at No Water River is awaiting your arrival for this week's Poetry Friday festivities.

Haiku Sticky #270

On Sunday, while watching an outdoor performance, we were plagued by a bunch of little bee-like flying insects. Come to find out (after a little online research) that these are hover flies (Sphaerophoria philanthus). At one point, I had them on four fingers of one hand. In the brilliant sunlight, their wings sparkled. I'm making this haiku into a haiga for next Sunday, so come back to see a real hover fly!

© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.

Happy Haiga Day!

Click on the image to enlarge. © Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.

Poetry Friday--"Little Shaver"

Caption: A Little "Shaver," Indianapolis Newsboy, 41 inches high. Said he was 6 years old. Aug., 1908. Wit., E. N. Clopper. Location: Indianapolis, Indiana. Photo taken August 1908 by Lewis Wickes Hine, courtesy Library of Congress.

Little Shaver

When I get bigger I'm
going to be a barber.
A barber makes people
look good, smell good,
and willing to part with
two pennies for a paper.
And another one for me.

© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.

Laura at Author Amok is doing Poetry Friday Round-Up duty this week--stop by!

Haiku Sticky #269

© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.