Poetry Friday: Why Did You Homeschool?

Why Did You Homeschool? 

by Lorie Ann Grover, 2011 

Why did you homeschool, 

you ask, 

with casual curiosity, 

rankled judgment, 

pouting pity, 

or genuine fascination for the odd. 

I say, 

I wanted that moment 

when my child sounded out 

her first words 

with wonder.   

I wanted to witness 

the awakening 

rushing over her eyes, 

pouring from her round, full lips 

sound, sound, sounding out 

story. 

I wanted to see 

for myself 

her first passions 

of octopi, Pompeii, the joy of reason, and 

the giggle of rhyme. 

I wanted to grasp 

the gift 

of my child’s awakening awe. 

I took the treasure, 

held it, knew it, felt it, breathed it 

beside her. 

I schooled my daughter 

for joy.