"Mama?"
A hazy and gilded memory hums from a corner of my mind.
"Why isn't our tree as big as Nana and Poppa's?"
I stare up at my mother's soft face. The backyard drips with honey as sun sets through the weeping leaves of my grandparents' willow tree.
Nana sits at her little glass table, smiling from behind her teacup. Poppa drinks lemonade and tells Auntie about his morning paper.
My mother laughs and kisses my cheek, "It needs time to grow."
Today, my daughter sits beneath my mother's willow tree.
I smile as her daughter asks the same question.
About the Creator
sleepy drafts
a sleepy writer named em :)
Enjoyed the story? Support the Creator.
Subscribe for free to receive all their stories in your feed. You could also pledge your support or give them a one-off tip, letting them know you appreciate their work.
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Eye opening
Niche topic & fresh perspectives
Masterful proofreading
Zero grammar & spelling mistakes
On-point and relevant
Writing reflected the title & theme
Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
Expert insights and opinions
Arguments were carefully researched and presented
Keep reading
More stories from sleepy drafts and writers in Poets and other communities.
Letter to our Queer & Trans Youth
Hey, you. I thought I’d start this letter by telling you a little about myself, just so you know who you’re dealing with. I’m an emotional dad, father to three amazing kids who we met through the foster care system, and whose presence in our lives has really transformed my sense of responsibility to the communities that surround us. The connections we’ve made with one another, with our extended families, and with the communities where we live and look for belonging have catapulted us into this whirlwind of emotional tumult which, while not easy by any stretch of the measure, has also been remarkably healing. I realize ours is really only a one-sided chosen family, since our kids didn’t get to choose to live here, but I’d like to think that they did choose to let us love them, which allowed them to grow to love us. And I think that’s where I want to go with this letter- to a place where you can find belonging and healing- even if the pathway there may be peppered with some emotional tumult.
By F Cade Swanson4 days ago in Pride
Comments (12)
This scene is beautiful 🥹 I really hope you grew up in such a loving place! ❤️🥰
I felt like I was the main character
This is such a beautiful story, Em. Your vivid description of the scene transported me there. Well done!
I love the sense of family here
sweetest piece of art i read today!, would love to read more of these.
Absolutely gorgeous language! “The backyard drips with honey as sun sets through the weeping leaves of my grandparents' willow tree.” I love the sentiment of this so much, and it’s why I’m not a woman who fears or resists aging. I embrace it. I’ve had time to grow, and I hope to be blessed with decades more, so I can stand as tall as an old tree. Also, weeping willows are my personal favorite.
Oh beautifully and succinctly done! Loved that.
Awww, this was just so wonderful! I loved it!
Very beautiful.
"The backyard drips with honey" -- love that line, and how it captures the sepia sweetness of this poem.
What a lovely contemplation about time and family, and generations with shared cornerstones. I love how vividly peaceful and full of sweetness this little story is. ❤️ Wonderful work.
This is such a sweet poem!! I love the hints of love and closeness continuing and growing from generation to generation. Well done!!