A woman about my age who grew up in my hometown got chosen to be the Democratic nominee for vice president of the United States of America this week.
Kamala Harris wasn’t my top choice for vice presidential candidate (though now I think she was a brilliant choice). So I didn’t expect to be so powerfully impacted when she was chosen, but I was. Especially when I saw this photo:
Kamala Harris
I’ve learned that when I feel like I did, it’s a good idea to write a poem. Here’s what I wrote:
That Little Girl Is Me her mixed is not the same as my mixed but I know not being what is considered mainstream and I know a family history that’s a story of immigration and I know growing up in Berkeley, California in the 1960s and 70s I see that pigtailed girl and she looks like girls in my world in my America I remember being a little girl with pigtails— a hairstyle for girls who enjoy their flowing locks but sometimes want to tie them back when they’re ready to run © Karin Fisher-Golton, 2020
You may recognize that the poem’s title was inspired by Harris’s words “that little girl was me” from the first round of Democratic primary presidential debates in June 2019. She was calling Biden out for opposing busing to desegregate schools, a policy that brought Harris to a school I didn’t attend, but is not far from where I grew up—a school I still drive by and park next to often, and a place with a playground where my son played and learned to ride a bike. Although those words were against Biden, now they make me all the more positive about him and their partnership. It takes strength to partner with someone who has called you out publicly, and, in 2020, that is most true when a man has been called out by a woman. I respect Biden’s willingness to wholeheartedly make that choice.
I know that many people are deeply moved by Kamala Harris’s candidacy. And I’m guessing I’m not the only person who wrote a poem or might write a poem with some allusion to “that little girl was me” this week. If you know of any such poems or are inspired to write one, please let me know in the comments.
For more poems this Poetry Friday, visit https://nixthecomfortzone.com/2020/08/13/poetry-friday-is-here-2/—not only for poetry links, but also a post with two excellent poems where you can learn about a poetry form called a monotetra. I hope to try one soon. Thank you, Molly Hogan of Nix the Comfort Zone blog!
Karin Fisher-Golton 
Beautiful poem. Like you, Kamala wasn’t my first choice early on. Now that I’ve gotten to know her better and Biden selected her, I realize that she is the perfect choice!
Thank you, Patricia! And that’s interesting to know that we had a similar trajectory. I was ready to campaign with vigor no matter who he picked–so finding her a great choice is a sweet bonus.
There is a new children’s PB coming out about her this month. Believe the release date is Aug. 25.
Yes, the Nikki Grimes one, with the beautiful cover! I’m going to put a link to a PW article about Kamala Harris picture books right here: https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/84083-children-s-books-on-2020-v-p-candidate-kamala-harris.html
I am thrilled that she is running and that they seem to have a mutual respect for each other. She brings so much interest and energy to the campaign, and much much more. Loved your poem and I agree there must be many out there celebrating her.
She really does bring a lot on many levels. Thank you for your note. I hope I do come across some others who celebrate with poetry.
Very nice poem.
You should send it to Kamala Harris.
Thanks, Yael! I will at least “at” her on Twitter.
I loved your poem, especially that ending, but most of all, I love that you wrote, “I’ve learned that when I feel like I did, it’s a good idea to write a poem. ” That’s the idea/connection I so hope to nourish in my incoming writers this year!
Thanks so much! What a great wish for incoming writers. It took me a long time to recognize that connection, but it sure serves me well now.
I am moved as well. Thank you for putting your emotions into poetry. I’m happy for you, for the poem for those ready to run!
Thanks very much, Linda. Yay for all of those ready to run!
What a wonderful poem. I love your fitting finale; a perfect encapsulation of then and now. (And how special, to have all these connections.)
Thanks so much, Kathryn!
Karin, your poem delivers soft reminders of migration, explanation and ultimately inspiration. You have tapped into a moment in the political world of your nation and delivered a message for now. I personally think Kamala is an inspired choice and I wish her well in an election that has the attention of the world.
Thank you for that lovely description of my poem, Alan.
It is so important to see self in public, in books & poetry. I hope that this year with new books, new women of various backgrounds running or have already been in elected office will boost kids (& adults) even more, able to say “That Little Girl is Me”. Lovely, heartfelt poem.
It is indeed so important. Thank you for seeing that, Linda. I second that wish!
Karin, good to see you at PF and good to know that Kampala’s words inspired a poem. I am hoping that many little girls will be prompted to write one also. It is a powerful moment in history for the US. Harris brings a new dimension to politics and I hope many recognize that not just because she is a woman but for her political savvy.
It’s good to be at PF! Thanks for remembering me. Yes, Kamala Harris really does bring a lot. I think her very solid understanding of the law will serve her and us well.
I am white
I grew up with girls who looked like me and many who did not
A melting pot
That’s how a teacher described our country to me
I thought that was how we were suppose to be
Some times there was trouble
Hey we don’t live in a bubble
I’ve learned as I grew that the Red White and Blue
Is strong and loving and just and free
But what happened to “we“
We’ve become “us” and “them”
And I don’t understand
We must take a stand
Please stand with me as I will with you
Proud, straight and tall
One nation, under G-d with liberty and justice for all
Thank you so much, Arlene! Your poem really touched me, and I’m grateful that you posted it here. I’m rooting for the whole “we” and the truth of that last line.
Thanks for sharing this strong poem Karen, I can definitely relate to these lines,
“but I know
not being what
is considered mainstream”
I Iike the metaphors you used with her hair and connecting them with tying it back and being “ready to run.” Kamala is definitely ready to run and will work relentlessly for many underrepresented.
Thank you, Michelle! When I saw that photo the power of pigtails is what jumped out at me, so those metaphors were where the poem began. And I like that you can relate to those lines. They really resonate for me.
Nice ending! I was an Elizabeth Warren/Tammy Duckworth gal, so when I choked up when Harris was announced, it took me by surprise as well. I’m all in!
Thanks, Tabatha! I was just over at your blog, and I see we are in sync with a lot this week.
This is lovely, Karin. The ending to your poem is so clever–love it! And loved learning more about you, too…
Thank you, Laura! Great to hear from you. My growth as a poet is connected to you because I am part of a wonderful longtime poetry group that came out of the nonfiction group I joined thanks to your class on writing for the education and library market.