by Mattie J.T. Stepaniek
April 2, 2009

Editor’s Note: Today poems come from a book that Mattie J.T. Stepaniek wrote in 2003, published by VSP Books. It is called “Loving Through Heartsongs”. We hope that these poems will inspire you again as Mattie did when he was with us, seven years ago.

He dedicated this book to those who believe in celebrating the gifts of life every day, especially his mom, all of his kin and the entire staff of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Children’s National Medical Center. Always remember to play after every storm!

 

Spring-Kinging

Today is the first day of spring!

The air will get warmer and warmer.

The flowers will begin to

Peek out from under the ground.

And I, the Snow-King, will soon

Melt down into the earth, then

Rise up again as the Spring-King!

As the Snow-King,

I calmed the winds and

Fought the Snow-Villains.

As the Spring-King,

I will make blossoms grow

On the winter-stick trees

That live behind our house.

The blossoms will be like lace

And then change into leaves.

I will make the brown-scratchy

Grass turn off and green.

I will make rainbow-flowers

That invite butterflies and bees

To drink their juice and take seeds

Away with them to make baby-flowers.

I will be a good Spring-King

For the whole season, until

It’s time to grow and change again.

March. 1996

Source: Loving Through Heartsongs