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“Mom? I wrote a poem.” She says, sliding a cocoa lock behind one ear.
Her almond eyes, that mirror my husband’s in every way, are serious.
“Do you want to show me?” I ask, settling beside her on the floor.
She nods, tilting her chin -and her clipboard- towards my eyes. A writer revealing a piece of her heart.
I’m ready to praise, when she halts me.
“I wish I could publish this.” She breathes, inflating a dream. “But I don’t have to.” She adds, deflating it just as quickly.
My move.
I can fill her with words that she doesn’t crave.
Or, I can open the door, whispering, Go for it.
So we sat together shoulder to shoulder, flexing and fixing and pitching Kayli’s poem to an amazing site, Vox Poetica.
And I wanted her poem to be accepted, of course I did.
But what I really wanted was for her to feel that rush.
That uncomfortable heart tug that you feel when you believe in yourself with every fiber of your being. So much so, that you have to go for it.
And that photo of pure joy?
Is Kayli reading her gorgeous acceptance letter from editor Annmarie Lockhart, who wrote, “I do love when I can publish the poetry of young people. It is one of the things that makes me happiest.”
Kayli’s poem is live today at Vox Poetica, and this family would just like to say, Way to go Kayli, and Go for it, always!
Kayli will be reading and responding to all comments today.
That’s what authors do, right?
Waterfall
By Kayli Adina Breen
It sparkles in my eyes
Like a stream that was lifted
Up up up
On a rock or a thin cliff
It is so beautiful
Some short
Some long
I love waterfalls.
Kayli Breen is a seven year old from Minnesota. She lives with her mom, dad, sister Chloe, brother Brody, and dog Louie. Kayli loves writing, rocks, rock climbing, and swimming.
Way to go, sweet Kayli! I’m *so* proud of you! xo
Thank you mom. I love you.
Great job, Kayli! Love you!
Thank you dad! I love you too!
Such a beautiful poem. She inherited your gift!
Thank you Barbara! I love it too.
Thank you, Barbara – so very much!
That is a beautiful poem Kayli. Congratulations on your feature over at Vox Poetica! Well done!
Thank you! I’m so excited!
Oh my goodness!!! Congratulations!!!
It is a beautiful poem…I love waterfalls too.
And, Galit, you are a wonderful mother to help Kayli go for her dreams!!
Thank you Jen. Waterfalls are so pretty!
Thank you, my sweet friend. That means so much to me!
Kayli, you have your mother’s writing spirit and soul. Love the poem, and congratulations on getting published!!
(Galit, you must be oh-so-proud!)
Thank you so much Alison! That was so nice of you,
Thank you, my dear friend! And oh my, I *so* am! xo
Doesn’t it make your heart sing when your kids have such joy in their lives …
congrats to you both xxx
Thank you very much Nicole!
Thank you, my friend! (so much!) xo
Kayli, you are a wonderful writer and a fantastic poet!! You are so much like you mom, it’s truely beautiful. Keep up the great writing and there will ALWAYS be someone who is honored to read your words!!
(Galit, you’ve done an outstanding job here. Kudos to you too!)
Thank you Eve. That was so very kind of you.
Thank you, sweet friend! That mean so much to me! xo
oooh what a great poem!! waterfalls are awesome!
Thank you Christina. Waterfalls are so awesome!
Kayli, I absolutely love your poem. I can just see the waterfall sparkling in my mind when I read it! Congratulations.
Thank you Paula. That was very kind of you!
Kayli, I hope when my daughter gets a little older, she’s as brave and as talented as you are. Congratulations! I hope it’s the first in a long line of published pieces!
Thank you Amber. that was very very nice of you!
Congratulations, Kayli. It’s a lovely poem and I’m not surprised — at all — it was published.
Keep up the impressive work! : )
Thank you so much Pam! I really loved writing it!
Way to go Kayli! Beautiful poem from a beautiful girl. I love water falls, too!!
Thank you so much April.
Go Kayli!! That is an AWESOME poem, and I’m thrilled Vox Poetica published it. May it be the first of many to follow.
Thank you Jessie! I really had a fun time writing it.
It’s so GOOD!!! I feel like a proud mother over here…just look at those adjectives, the insightful thoughts…love love love!
THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! I really had a fun time writing it.
Step aside, Mom, and make room for another writer. There’s another person living under your roof who has a beautiful way with words!
Kayli, that was beautiful and oh, so, lyrical.
I wanted to tell you that I was about 8 years old when I wrote a poem for a contest; it won for my age category. Oh so many years have passed, and I’m still writing poetry and getting it published from time to time. Last year, over 40 years after that first contest, I entered one of my poems in another contest and it won.
So you see, once the words are in you, they’ll always be there…to peek their head out once in a while and be shared with many people!
Great work, and I’m so glad that the people at Vox Poetica recognized that too.
Thank you so so much Pearl! that was very kind of you.
Kayli,
Your poem is brilliant! I love it! Good for you for going for it and congrats on being published- that is quite an accomplishment!
Jen Rodriguez
Thank you so so so much for the compliment Jen.
Kayli, “It sparkles in my eyes like a stream that was lifted.” What a beautiful, unique way to describe a waterfall. I also love how you point out (very accurately) that even though waterfalls all look different, they are all beautiful in their own way. Congratulations to you!
Jen
Thank you Jen!! I really like what you wrote.
Way to go! Keep writing; you have a beautiful gift to share with the world!
Thank you so much Melissa. I love what you wrote.
Kayli-
This is beautiful. I can see the waterfall sparkling in my mind. You have a gift and I hope you will do us the honor of sharing more of your work with us in the future.
In the meantime, tell your mom to check out New Moon Girls for you. It’s a magazine and online forum for girls your age where you can publish your work and see work from other girls…and connect with other aspiring writers. You will love it
Thank you Katie for the compliment and the idea. I love both thank you.
Way to go Kayli!! Such beautiful thoughts and words for such a young lady! Congratulations for getting your poem published. I kinda feel like a proud Momma too since your mom is my friend and I can feel how proud she is. Keep writing, sweet girl!
Thank you Elaine for the wonderful words.
Way to go Kayli. That poem is just beautiful.
Thank you so much!!!
Well that just put one huge smile on my face. I love it Kayli! Congratulations. You have a gift for writing and what a privilege to read your first published piece of art.
Thank you for the beautiful words they made me really happy.
Kayle,the peom is simply wonderful! The image of a stream lifting up to a raifall is amazing! Congratulations! I knew you as an adorable 2 year old and here you are a lovely 7 year old!
Thank you for the wonderful words Barbara.
Standing ovation! Or is it standing finger snaps! Super great job!
Thank you Jennifer! And finger snaps, for sure!
Congratulations Kayli, for being published. Even bigger congratulations for believing in yourself and for being inspired to write beautiful poetry. I love the way you described the waterfall. You are very talented! Keep writing! And keep going for it! Love, Auntie Tam
Thank you so much Tami for the kind words.
Oh WOW Kayli!! So exciting and such lovely words! Not only do I see a waterfall sparkling…I see you sparkling too! And *that*makes me sparkle. I’ll bet there are actually many, many people sparkling today because of your work. Thank you for sharing! So proud of you.
Thank you Becky for the kind words.
Love Kayli
Kayli – This is an amazing accomplishment for a 7 year old girl! Congratulations to you! Keep writing. You are very good at it!
Thank you Missy for the kind words.
You’re published! Congratulations! You are an inspiration to young writers. I will be sharing this with my daughters when they get home from school.
Thank you Kimberly for the great words.
Kayli, your poem is beautiful!
Congratulations on your first of many published pieces.
Thank you Tonya for the great words they made me smile.
Aw, congrats!!!
THANK YOU SHELL!!!!!!!!!!!!
Aw congrats Kayli! What a talented young lady you are to already have your writing being published! Lots of good things to come in your future for sure <3
Thank you Jessica! For the kind words!
Kayli, your poem gave me goosebumps. Congratulations on being a published poet! I look forward to reading more of your work in the future.
Thank you so so so much.
Bravo!! I’m going to tell my daughter all about you, because she writes poems too and you’ll be such an inspiration to her. Thank you! xox
Thank you so much for the nice comment. I hope emails Vox Poetica too!
All congratulations
That is quite a rush when you read that something that you made has been accepted, isn’t it?
It really is. thank you!
Kayli, You have a gift! Please keep writing poetry always.
Thank you so much that made me smile.
I’m not sure which is more priceless, Kayli…your poem or that you went for it. I guess I am going to have to say both are priceless. And the cherry on top was definitely your reaction to reading your announcement. Way to go, girlie! Love it!!!
Thank you so much for the kind words.
Way to go Kayli! Always chase after those dreams, no matter what!
Thank you for the kind words. I will.
K, K, K!!! You are AMAZING. I am so excited for you. What a beautiful poem. I LOVE waterfalls, too. Guess what? Once I got to swim behind one and watch the waterfall from the back! It was so cool. Also? The picture of Chloe and you made me cry tears of joy. Love you so much, honey!! KEEP WRITING! XOXO
Thank you Keely I would like to swim by a waterfall too love you Kayli.
Kayli,
Your poem is beautiful. And congratulations on being published, it’s an incredible accomplishment and you should feel very proud. Keep writing, you’ve got a bright future ahead of you!
Thank you so much. You made me smile.
Not only are her words kick azz, so is her momma. Way to go encouraging her and letting her just go for it.
Thank you !
Thank you so much, Momma!
Highest of compliments, yes?
xo
Kayli,
Your mama is so right you know? You should always go for it! Because if YOU don’t, who will?
Congratulations on being publish at such a young age! So exciting!
Thank you Sam that was really nice.
Way to go Kayli!
The sky’s the limit!
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!
I am in absolute tears.
This is a true gift that you have.
I hope that you take this moment and run with it always, remembering that you can do anything and that what you are is so very important and worthy.
So proud of you.
And thank you for sharing this lovely piece of poetry.
Thank you Kimberly for the wonderful words. They made me smile.
This is beautiful, Kayli. I am so proud of you!
Thank you Jessica for the kind words!
“like a stream that was lifted
Up up up”
Speaking as a writer and an English teacher, that’s a darn good simile! And I will tell you a secret. *whispering in your ear* I have the same dream, about my book. I want to see my name on the side of a spine. I don’t know why. I just do. And my main character’s name is Adina! How cool is that?
You may have your dad’s eyes, but you have your mom’s words! 😉
Thank you that was very kind. Thats SO COOL about Adina! I can’t wait to read your book!
Thank you, dear friend.
(so kind)
xo
So wonderful, keep writing!
Thank you Carolyn.
Your poem is magnificent, Kayli. Do you think you’ll write more of them?
My son is seven years old too. I think I’ll ask him if he wants to try writing a poem!
Thank you Jen for the nice words. And yes I will keep writing poems! I hope he does write a poem!
I love this. I love her poem. I love your encouragement and support. I love Vox Poetica’s response. I’m so happy for her!
Thank you so much Jen!
Thank you, my friend!
Your sweet soul? Shines through in that comment!
xo
WOW Kayli. Such a beautiful poem. I loved reading it.
Thank you sasa! I love you.
This is so incredibly special! What a sweet poem, Kayli, and what terrific mom you have.
Thank you very much!
Thank you (truly).
Congratulations! I loved your poem! It’s always a little scary putting yourself out there, but you did it anyway. And it paid off. Bravery like that is super impressive.
Thank you so so much for the kind words. They made me smile.
—I love this poem.
C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S!!!!!!!
Thank you so much.
Hello Kayli,
I really liked your poem, and look forward to reading more writings by you, talented writer!
I met your mom many years ago when she lived in CA, and have enjoyed following your family’s adventures on Facebook the last couple of years. I hope to meet you and your family in person sometime soon, and see your mom again!
Thank you so much Shirit
Yes! It would be so amazing to catch up in person, Shirit!
(Thank you so much for these kind words!)
Kayli – it was simply beautiful! Congratulations!!
Thank you so much.
Wow, a star is born. So excited for you Kayli. You and your mom have so much talent!
Thank you so so much that was very nice of you.
Thank you, sweet friend!
It looks like word weaving runs in the family. I am in awe of her talent!
Thank you so much!
Thank you, Deirdre. (so much)
That is so awesome, congratulations Kayli!
And your poem is absolutely beautiful
Thank you so much! That was nice of you.
Well done and congratulations Kayli!
You have captured the essence of the waterfall wonderfully. always a joy to meet another poet.
Thank you it’s nice meeting you too.
Kayli, how absolutely wonderful for you~congratulations! Beautiful poem, and you make your mommy so very proud. Thank you for sharing your work with us and I look forward to reading more of it in the future
Thank you so much that made me really happy.
Yes, she so does my sweet friend! (And thank you!) xo
Thanks for sharing kayli. That took real guts – so impressive.
Thank you so much for the nice words!
What a clever and sweet poem. So very well written. Yay! Congratulations to your little writer. Like Mother, like daughter!
Thank you so much for the kind words.
Thank you, Bruna! (so much!)
Kayli, you wrote a beautiful poem, I could practically see the waterfall before my eyes! And the sparkle? That is the best part, the perfect way to describe it.
Galit, my heart swells, I can just imagine what you feel.
Thank you that was nice.
Thank you, my dear friend! (so very much!) xo
Awesome writing! I wish my sons liked writing. They are classic Dudes in that way.
Thank you so much maybe they will.
How exciting!! I am so happy for you! Your poem is beautiful!
Thank you Jen that was nice!
Fantastic job, Kayli! It’s a beautiful pome. And very smart not to wait as long as some of us to submit your work to be published! Start building that portfolio early, girl!
Thank you. That was so nice.
Woo hoo Kayli! That is awesome. Congratulations. An inspiration to us all to “go for it!”
Thank you so so much for the nice words.
Wow! So very impressed. What an amazing poem. So happy it got published, that truly is awesome.
I have the bad habit of making all of my poems rhyme- this just flows and is beautiful.
Thank you for the good words, they made me smile.
I remember once having an article published in our local newspaper in a section they reserved for youth. It gave me the belief that if you try hard, work hard and take a risk every once in a while that you could accomplish something you could be proud of. This lesson served me well throughout my life and I am sure it will be one of many amazing things your daughter accomplishes. Way to go momma for encouraging her and CONGRATULATIONS Kayli! I can’t wait to see what else you will publish.
Thank you so much!
Thank you, sweet Maija! You are a love! xo
That is so exciting! Congratulations Kayli! You have a wonderful gift that I do hope you keep sharing with us. And remember, go for it! Always!
Thank you so much and for sure go for it always!
I love the image your words gave my mind. It made me remember every waterfall I’ve loved. Savor this moment – your debut into the literary world. It is good to be brave. Hugs.
Thank you so so much for the kind words.
What an AMAZING poem, Kayli! You most certainly seem to have inherited your mom’s beautiful way with words.
Congratulations on being published! Way to go, gorgeous girl!
Thank you so much.
Thank you so much, my sweet-as-pie friend! xo
Congratulations, Kayli!
I love your poem and I am so happy for you that it was published!
Keep writing and keep taking those chances!
Thank you that was nice of you .
This is a beautiful poem! Kudos to you for having the courage to submit this lovely prose and congratulations for having it published. Keep writing, beautiful one.
Thank you so very much.
Congratulations on becoming a published author!! Brave, beautiful Kayli , I love your words & you!! Please continue to share your talent with us …keep writing!! XOXOX Oma
Thank you Oma so much I love you xoxoxoxo from Kayli.
Way to go, Kayli! A published author: awesome!
Thank you so much from Kayli.
That is so cool. My grade ones are writing poems right now. If they wrote one as amazing as this I would be pleased as punch.
Thank you so much I bet they will.
It’s beautiful!!!!!!!
I can’t believe such imagery comes from such a small creature!
Thank you so so much that was nice!!
I’m crying. At work.
This is awkward.
I’m so proud of your daughter and of YOU for lifting her up. What a mom! What a poet! What a family!
Thank you
Oh my heart, thank you so much.
Those words? Are lovely (and generous).
Way to go Kayli! The only way you can accomplish what you want in life is to go for it. I love waterfalls too and your poem.
Thank you so so much I love waterfalls to!
oh my goodness, that is one BEAUTIFUL poem Kayli, Your mom has given you all her beautiful qualties and talent. I am in awe and so proud of you.
Thank you so much you made me smile.
Thank you, sweet Kir! (so much!)
Amazing!
She has the gift of writing just like you!
Thank you very much.
It’s AMAZING when inspiration comes in the form of a seven year old! You inspire ME, miss Kayli! Congratulations on getting your first poem published! I sure hope to read more from you!!
Thank you so much. You made me smile.
I don’t know how I missed this, but great job! It’s a beautiful poem.
Thank you so much for the very nice words.
Such a great poem! Congrats, Kayli!
Kayli that is a gorgeous poem. The imagery is just perfect. You are certainly a writer and a beautiful reflection of your mama’s spirit. I love it.
I wish you could meet my daughter Sophia, who is 5 1/2 and has a spirit just like yours. She does not write yet but creates the most beautiful pieces of art and she adores waterfalls. I will send you a picture of her favorite one.
Thank you so much for sharing your blossoming gift with us!
I am only just reading this and I love it. What a beautiful poem from a beautiful girl. YOu have your mom’s way with words. Congrats on being published!
Galit, so lovely, my friend. You must be kvelling. 😉