Philip, age 52, and mother Jean, age 84

Intergenerational Description of Joint Project:

I submitted the poem on my mom's behalf. She wrote it. I served as her coach, provided encouragement, proofed the poem, and am currently looking for a home for it where it will be published. We have collaborated on many facets of our lives previously -- writing, travel, etc.
Working with my mom on any project was always special because of the learning that takes place, particularly on my part, as well as sharing of ourselves and the give and take that occurs in focusing on something we are both interested in.

Celebration of Rachel Carson’s Sense of Wonder:

Mom and I are cloud, sky, star and planet watchers, both during the day and night.The poem was written as a result of that sense of wonder -- a state we are regularly in. This project brought more focus and heightened our appreciation of this sense of wonder and awe created by these elements of nature, there power and supremacy.

Poem:

The Sky and Me

I looked out my window and what did I see?
A beautiful sky so high above me.
I looked and I liked and then I did see
The sky up above looking down at me.
Then the sky winked his eye and spoke to me.
"I noticed you stare
and it made me happy as so few people care.
Just watch how the clouds move so slow and then fast
and then I add color and it's really a blast.
When I see flowers wilt and the earth doesn't breath,
I know at a glance what it surely needs.
I start up my rain clouds and the sky gets black and I let the rain fall.
Many will smile and others will frown
as I let all that rain come down."
Now when I take my daily walk
I look up at the sky and only I know
how the sky can talk.