‘When the Husbands Go Fishing,’ ‘Green Thumb,’ and ‘The Baptism of Christ’ — Three Poems by Arabella Stravitsch (age 14)

When the Husbands Go Fishing

by Arabella Stravitsch, age 14

When the husbands go fishing
in a boat out at sea,
the wives wish them well
as they prepare themselves tea.

Now the husbands think
that the wives will be sweeping.
But no! They’ve hired maids
for the cooking and cleaning.

So, when the husbands come home
all tired out,
they find a hot meal waiting
in a spotless house

but on their way to the freezer
to deposit their fish,
they spy only a few coins
in their money dish.

Green Thumb

by Arabella Stravitsch, age 14

When passersby exclaim,
“You have a green thumb!”
what should I do but smile
and play along with their game.

I look at my thumb,
it’s not very green
Oh, what do they mean?
Am I just dumb?

My thumb looks brown,
fairly dirty too.
Are other thumbs cleaner?
I kneel back down.

Weary, I look about,
the only green I see
is my abundant garden
I work on
day in and day out.

The Baptism of Christ

by Arabella Stravitsch (age 14)

Jesus rose from the waters and the heavens were opened.
A gift bestowed out of love —
the Spirit of God descended like a dove.
Then a voice from heaven proudly declared
about the New Adam freely shared —
“This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased.”