Babble by Lizzie Elliot-Klein

It began with a babble

a rolling of sound

in your gummy pink mouth

a few words emerged

your first sentences

strung together with

rice cake crumbs

and muddy toes

then holding court

in your high chair

on Omi's birthday

covered in yoghurt

and oozing joy

you opened your mouth

and out trickled a song

of a buskers cat

and a guitar playing

word for sticky sweet word

you did not wait for applause

or a standing ovation

simply returned to

scooping yoghurt

whilst we sat dumbfounded

and I wiped the tears

from my eyes.

Lizzie Elliot-Klein is a poet, nature connection guide, and mama rooted in Plymouth, UK. With a background in marine biology and nature-based practices, her work reflects a deep awe for the natural world and the cyclical dance of the seasons.

Since welcoming her daughter, Lizzie’s creative practice has also begun to explore matrescence and the everyday wonder of watching a small person grow.

Her poetry has been published in Haunted Words Press, with forthcoming work appearing in Motherlore Magazine and Jawbone Journal. She currently runs nature-based creative writing workshops through SeaWyld and is working on her debut poetry collection.

Instagram: @ofbrackenandbrine and @seawyld.