Poetry By Kids
Hope Through Heartstrings
By Mattie J. T. Stepanek
Bibliography
Stepanek, Mattie J. T. 2002. Hope Through Heartstrings. New York: Hyperion.
ISBN 0786869445
Book Review
An accomplished poet, Mattie J. T. Stepanek was a young child whose life was drastically cut short by a lifelong battle with a rare form of muscular dystrophy. In his third collection of heartwarming personal poems all written in free verse, Mattie shares his thoughts, trials, and tribulations while dealing with his daily health struggles, along with feelings of death and divorce. Some poems are happy and some are sad.
An advocate for world peace, Mattie successfully delivers this common theme throughout each poem. Those who read his poems will close this book and become a better person. Readers will hardly believe the talent that permeates throughout this book from such an extraordinary young man. After reading each poem in this collection, readers will see how writing poetry can be the perfect outlet for self-expression. As for further inspiration, special acknowledgments from Mattie himself are given to a number of “famous people” such as Jimmy Carter, Oprah Winfrey, Jerry Lewis, to name a few. Well-known spiritual author, Gary Zukov shares his words of wisdom in an elegantly written “Foreword.”
Beautiful finger painted illustrations accompany some of these poems and further add to the innocent childlike appeal uncovered in every single poem. A neatly arranged table of contents introduces three different chapters that separate the meanings behind his poems. Plus, an index organized like no other, is included at the end for a quick and easy reference when looking for poems. Each poem is arranged alphabetically by title, with a first line excerpt, and the page number. The book size itself is also something reminiscent of a small journal or diary for one to write and keep personal poetry.
The poem, “For Our World,” is one such poem that shows the outstanding quality found in Mattie’s poetry. Like many of his poems, this one delivers a feeling of calmness and serenity in trying to make this world a better place for all of us. It is a poem that makes you stop and think about the important things in life.
For Our World
We need to stop.
Just stop.
Stop for a moment...
Before anybody
Says or does anything
That may hurt anyone else.
We need to be silent.
Just silent.
Silent for a moment...
Before we forever lose
The blessing of songs
That grow in our hearts.
We need to notice.
Just notice.
Notice for a moment...
Before the future slips away
Into ashes and dust of humility.
Stop, be silent, and notice...
In so many ways, we are the same.
Our differences are unique treasures.
We have, we are, a mosaic of gifts
To nurture, to offer, to accept.
We need to be.
Just be.
Be for a moment...
Kind and gentle, innocent and trusting,
Like children and lambs,
Never judging or vengeful
Like the judging and vengeful.
And now, let us pray,
Differently, yet together,
Before there is no earth, no life,
No chance for peace.
September 2001
Extensions
After reading “For Our World,” or other poems found in this collection, children my feel inclined to begin their own poetry journals. Children can use this journal anyway they wish. They can write their own poetry or collect favorite poems in a special folder, notebook, or a diary. Encourage the use of colorful illustrations or simple sketches to further add a special touch to their personal collection.
For information on this wonderfully talented poet, visit his personal website:
http://www.mattieonline.com/
Enjoy other books written by Mattie J. T. Stepanek:
Celebrate Through Heartsongs - ISBN 9780786869459
Heartsongs - ISBN 9780786888092
Journey Through Heartsongs - ISBN 9780786869428
Loving Through Heartsongs - ISBN 9780786869466
Image Source: Barnes & Noble