This is a very special guest post, a poem written by my friend, Ella, who just turned 10. That’s Ella and me in the photo.
Ella is an amazing spirit. I was sitting with a few friends at the beach bar one early evening recently, and she came rushing over, excited to share her new poem with us.
It blew us all away.
Happily, she agreed to have me publish it here. I’ll definitely forward your comments to her, but I’m not sure if she will be able to respond – depends on how much homework she has to do.
Sense Poem
by Ella Eve Lewis
I am all that I see
A beautiful warm flower growing in front of me
A kitten curled up by a fire on a winter’s night
This summer has been full of light
All are a part of me
I am all that I hear
Madonna singing in my ear
Something screeching with lots of fear
There’s music playing somewhere near
All are a part of me
I am all that I taste
A warm cookie soft and squishy
A cold refreshing cherry
A beautiful apple shining bright
All are a part of me
I am all that I feel
A soft pillow all warm and small
A fuzzy wig
All are a part of me
I am all that I smell
A bar of chocolate
A warm flower blowing in the breeze
A brownie soft and warm
All are a part of me!
Archan Mehta says
Hey there, Gail:
Aw, well I am (sort of) jealous you get to hang around with such a sweet and cute kid.
Please convey to Ella that her poem made my day. It is such a lovely poem, amazing.
Ella has the kind of rare talent that is sure to win her many prizes and honors in the future.
Ella, always have the courage to pursue your dreams. Three cheers to your success, Ella!
Gail Brenner says
Hi Archan, and welcome to A Flourishing Life! Glad you stopped by.
I know, I feel incredibly blessed to have Ella in my life. She is a total sweetheart. I love your comment, so inspiring and encouraging, and will pass it along to her.
Thanks for the comment!
Robin Easton says
This just move me to tears. What an amazing soul Ella is. She is so aware of the world around her. This poem also magically stilled all the work stress in me that I’ve had lately. I know why it did that too…because the poem takes the reader in to the intimate moments of life, the tiny details that we can take for granted…and yet, THEY are what make up who we ARE. The flower, the kitten. curled up by the fire. We ARE all these things. Ella speak of a level of life that I live, one that is sooooooo appreciative of all that little things. I hunger everyday to connect to these things simply by being aware of them. That is ALL it takes.
Ella, you are beauty itself and I am hugging you for making my day meaningful and REAL. Always listen to and trust your heart. It is a good one. We are kindred souls.
Gail, I hug you as well for “seeing” Ella and for seeing life on this level yourself. We see in others what is in ourselves. I hug you for being someone in Ella’s life that is able to honor who she is. I hug you for appreciating her enough to post her beautiful poem here. I would have LOVED someone like you in my life when I was Ella’s age. For a moment I thought Ella was your daughter as you both have the same innocent, beautiful, alive energy. An energy that faces Life with an open heart.
Thank you BOTH for such beauty. I am touched. Love, Robin
Gail Brenner says
I will pass along your beautiful words to Ella, Robin. Thank you soooo much.
One day we were all at the beach. She was rolling in the sand right where the waves were breaking in absolute ecstasy, saying, “I feel so ALIVE!” Ella is definitely dialed in.
She’s a fortunate girl with wonderful parents and tons of people who love her.
For some of us, (me included), it could bring up a sense of lack for what we didn’t have. It’s good to remember that there are Ella’s all around us – in fact there is “Ella-ness” in all of us, there to be accessed.
Big hug and love to you, Robin,
Gail
Steven Aitchison says
Hi Gail, what a great spirit you have to publish this and what a wise spirit Ella is, I think she has visited this earth before 🙂 this was a beautiful poem and has made my night just before going to get some sleep. It reminds me of how children see the world and what a wonderful place the world is when we allow it to be.
Gail Brenner says
I completely agree, Steve, and I really appreciate your comment. Ella is an amazing child and an old soul all in one. It’s great how children can remind us of the world’s wonder. We resonate so deeply with the truth about reality when we hear it.
All the best to you…
Anastasiya says
WOW, what an amazing poem! Ella definitely has a lot of talent and I hope that she will nurture it throughout her life.
Thank you for publishing this poem on your blog. This is a ray of light that can brighten any day 🙂
Gail Brenner says
Hi Anastasiya,
Thanks so much for your comment, and a warm welcome to you.
I know!! I had the same reaction when I heard the poem. I’m so glad that Ella let me publish it. And I love what you said: It is a ray of light that can brighten any day. So true!
jean says
What a beautiful song of Oneness from a wise soul, a joyful spirit who comes to us as “Ella!”
Thanks to her and to you, dear Gail, for this glorious reminder of what is.
Gail Brenner says
Thank you, Jean. I heard a rumor that Ella will be responding to comments this weekend. Stay tuned…
Armen Shirvanian says
Hi Ella(and Gail).
This sure is cool. Our senses are our most useful tools.
I will take it as a poem challenge from a creative genius. Also, I would like to say “welcome to the double-digit ages”.
This one is for you Ella:
Seasons Poem
by Armen Shirvanian
Winter arrives
Snow finds its way down from the sky
Cold makes everyone shiver
Trees stand strong against the elements
The seasons come and go
Spring arrives
Plants put out their fruits
There is a feel of growth
I see fresh starts
The seasons come and go
Summer arrives
The warmth is like a blanket
Joy is spread around
Memories are made
The seasons come and go
Fall arrives
The time of reflection is here
Leaves fall to the ground
Colors change everywhere
The seasons come and go~
Gail Brenner says
Wow, Armen! What a beautiful poem. Thank you so much for sharing it.
It’s so funny that you welcomed Ella to the double digits. She was very excited about that on her birthday!
Ella Lewis says
THANK YOU! This is Me Ella 4 years later (14 years old) and I just want to say thank you for this amazing poem! It means so much to me thanks!
-Ella 🙂
Deb says
What a wonderful poem! thanks to Ella
Gail Brenner says
Thanks, Deb. It’s been a joy to share it.
Joseph Bernard says
Hi Gail, I believe you and I have crossed paths in Santa Barbara in a meditation group. What a beautiful blog you have.
I live in Boulder for now, I have been blogging for about 3 years. Stop by and say hi.
Joseph
http://www.explorelifeblog.com
Gail Brenner says
Hi Joseph,
Yes, I remember you. How amazing that you found me on the internet! Thanks so much for commenting. Wishing you well with your blog.
jean says
Great poem, Armen. I felt refreshed upon reading it.
Thanks!
Meredith says
Is she a synesthete? It runs in my family, from my grandma to all 3 of my kids.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-superhuman-mind/201301/whats-thing-called-synesthesia
But none of us knew we were different until I read an article few years ago. I used to wonder why other people were so unmoved by life, and I would become frustrated trying to explain what I was feeling and seeing. Learning about it has helped all of us enjoy what we have, better communicate with those who don’t, and share with others who do. There are many different types (my mom has a moving timeline in her head she can go to any date, while significant dates are bigger and forward in mine. My daughter remember everything she smells, and can pick out a correct spice inside a new dish just by odor, and everything, even concepts, have smells. Life to me is in my head in movies, everything that happens has colors and sound and movement and emotion. I experience life fully with all of my senses, and her poem describes it very well. She should look into the possibility.
Gail Brenner says
Interesting, Meredith. She’s either a synesthete or just creative. I’ll pass this info along.
Ella Lewis says
Hello, This is me: Ella 4 years later in 2014 (age 14). Me and my best friend (Lili) were messing around in class and searching each other on google and she searched my name and found this! I am so lucky to have the support from everyone but a huge thanks to Gail for putting my work on her wonderful website! Im now writing about 3-4 songs a day. I play guitar, piano, dance and I love to sing. Preforming is my world! So thank you for all the amazing comments! All my love Ella!
-Ella xo
Gail Brenner says
Ella! So glad you found this. Your poem is awesome, and I thank you so much for letting me publish it.
I love that you’re getting out there to show the world how great you are.
Lots of love to you,
Gail