Kitchen table Quote by Jacqueline Woodson
““When we can't find my sister, we know / she is under the kitchen table, a book in her hand, / a glass of milk and a small bowl of peanuts beside her. / We know we can call Odella's name out loud, / slap the table hard with our hands, / dance around it singing 'She'll Be Coming 'Round the Mountain' / so many times the song makes us sick / and the circling makes us dizzy / and still / my sister will do nothing more / than slowly turn the page.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: “Odella” in Book of Short Stories, 2019
When a sister is missing, the family uses playful rituals and songs to cope, turning anxiety into a shared, rhythmic experience.
In simple terms: Family uses song and play to handle worry.
Key Takeaway
Use ritual and music to ease anxiety.
Themes
family
loss
ritual
music
coping
Mood
comforting
introspective
hopeful
Type
poetic
narrative
When to use this quote
- hospital visits
- family gatherings
- therapy sessions
- storytelling workshops
Key Concepts
grief processing
shared rituals
emotional resilience
Questions to Reflect On
- How can shared songs help in stressful moments?
- What other rituals bring comfort?
A Different Perspective
Rituals may not soothe everyone; cultural differences affect coping.
