Hey Little Girl
February 14, 2017 § 20 Comments
I’m going to find me a little girl, one with at least two bandaids on her shins and a book in her hand
And her hair uncombed in the back
One who has already adopted a spider and the lonely neighbor who still gets the paper
And I’m going to sponsor that little girl
In her eventual run for president.
I’m gonna find that girl in a place where the waves meet the beach
And I’m going to say: Reject that device that will let you see a pretend ocean
And a pretend beach
Build your own sand castle, little girl.
And when the waves take it.
Build it again.
I’m going to sneak into her class and whisper things to her things like:
Hey, sometimes the best people feel the worst
It’s the way things are
but keep on feeling.
Until the teacher says, Can you please leave? You are disturbing the caged parrot.
And I’ll leave but from the corner of my eye
I’ll see the little girl open the window
And free the parrot and the teacher.
And when the little girl runs for playground Senate
And she is pelted with water balloons by her detractors,
I’m going to tell her,
Little girl
Sometimes to make a difference, you have to get your hair wet
And then I’m going to get a sack of water balloons
And hunt down every one of those kids
And spend time in prison
Because no one pelts my little girl with water balloons.
And when it comes time for the little girl to like a boy
I’ll say
Not that one
Not that one
Maybe that one.
And if she says:
Actually, I prefer girls
I’ll say
Not that one
Not that one
Maybe that one.
And when that little girl turns 35
And still has bandaids on her shin
And a book in her hand
I’ll say now it’s time to run
And if she says
Actually I’d just like to raise children
Or own a goat farm
Or paint on walls
I’ll say,
Well, the truth is,
Being yourself is a form of running
So run
Run
Run.
Kathy, this is lovely. And funny. And a little bittersweet.
Scars are a permanent recording of life lived. I treasure every scar on my little girl’s knees.
And keep running! Now I’m in my “twilight years” some guy is chasing me and getting faster! If he catches me what then should I do? I know, I’ll play dead which may be the case. Run faster little girl!!
This is perfect.
Precocious isn’t enough. You’ve got to go to the next level to run with the wolves.
You know we should design it and sell it and donate any money made to The Little Girl fund. Xo
>
YES!! ❤️
Made me cry. And then smile. And then wish I could go back and be a little girl with help from you. Brilliant post. Love you.
Lovely. Thank you.
On Tue, Feb 14, 2017 at 5:57 AM, Kathy Hepinstall’s Blog wrote:
> Kathy Hepinstall posted: ” I’m going to find me a little girl, one with at > least two bandaids on her shins and a book in her hand And her hair > uncombed in the back One who has already adopted a spider and the lonely > neighbor who still gets the paper And I’m going to sponsor th” >
Many years ago, I was riding in the car on the way to the coast and I finished my first Hepinstall book (The Absence of Nectar). As I read the last line, I turned to my daughter in the back seat and said, READ THIS! It’s amazing. Since then I’ve gone on to read every word you write and have had the pleasure of meeting you in person a few times. This poem/prose brought me to tears and, perhaps best of all, gave me hope in a dark time for our nation. Thank you lovely lady, for once again reminding me of the power of words.
Right on, KH.
Beautiful and real. So much better than that dumb Audi spot on the Super Bowl.
On Tue, Feb 14, 2017 at 5:57 AM, Kathy Hepinstall’s Blog wrote:
> Kathy Hepinstall posted: ” I’m going to find me a little girl, one with at > least two bandaids on her shins and a book in her hand And her hair > uncombed in the back One who has already adopted a spider and the lonely > neighbor who still gets the paper And I’m going to sponsor th” >
Ha hahahahahaha!
Kathy, Balling my eyes out. You nailed it. And by the way your Mom is right. Scars are our roadmap to life. I am directionally challenged so you can imagine what mine look like.
Oh yeah. Love it.
Love this!
I’m with Mira. Make posters so I can hang over my little girl’s bed. Sometimes the best people feel the worst … for the win!
My goodness, this touched me so deeply. You are an amazing writer and you deserve #1 hits and everyone should be required to read one of your books. If I could wish this into being for you, it would be yours. But then I guess I would be playing God and I really don’t want that job…..I have enough trouble helping my close friends get through their lives and I fight to keep myself alive so……………………………………….I wish you the best. The best of all things.
A fan who has read everyone of your books and would buy more if you write them.
Gayla in the state of Wyoming and Flux.
Thanks so much. It’s great to hear from you again 🙂
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