Teddy Bear Loyalty: National Poetry Month

Many children have toys or blankets that give them comfort and act as a friend when there's no one else around. I had a Raggedy Ann that I wore to shreds. Here's a poem from Carmen Graber, reminiscing about her teddy bear.

Random Thoughts of Teddy

Teddy was my best friend

Not an original name for a teddy bear

But, hey

I was only 3 years old.

Keeper of my secrets,

Sharerer of my tea

at afternoon tea parties.

Protector of my nights

when shadows turn frightening.

Then we both had to go to the hospital:

Teddy to get more stuffing in his neck

And to fix his nose where I bit him.

Me to have my eyes fixed-

No, not to get my tonsils taken out like everyone else.

Patches over both eyes,

Sleeping in a bed with sides up like a crib.

I couldn’t see it,

But I heard the rasp of the railing

As it was pulled upward until it clicked.

And the doctor saying

“it won’t hurt”

As he ripped the patches off.

Kicked him in the shin.

That will teach him to tell a lie.

Grandma Lil gave me a white cat;

Not a real one-mom would never allow that.

Didn’t need Teddy as much when I got home.

He got stuck between the wall and the bed,

His new stuffing all scrunched up funny.

Then we moved to a new house.

Where was Teddy?

Did he get packed?

I have read stories about dogs that walk for miles

Just to find their owners.

Could Teddy do that too?

Not to worry-Teddy is here.

Best friends again.

Went to visit Grandma Lil

Took Teddy and the white cat

When we got home, only the white cat was in my bag.

Grandma Lil said not to worry

Teddy was with her

She would mail him to me.

How would he breathe?

Would she put holes in the box?

Would he be afraid in the dark?

Finally he arrived-at the big stone building-

The box had my name on it.

Never so happy to see my best friend Teddy.

I will never let you out of my sight again.

Then came junior high

Roller skates, boys, new friends.

Don’t know when Teddy got lost.

Asked my mom-she didn't know-

"Look in the closet in the basement".

Got distracted-forgot to look.

Went to college,

Got a job and place of my own.

I haven’t thought about Teddy for a long, long time.

Now I am old and I wish Teddy was here.

What toy do you remember fondly? What memories does that conjure up? Do you still have that toy? Please share in the comments below.

Carmen's poem reminded me of this famous rhyme for kids: