She Would Draw Flowers

by Kirsten Savitri Bergh

Kirsten Bergh was 17 when she died suddenly in a car accident. This book is her legacy of art and poetry that weaves a rich tapestry of joy, nature, beauty and inner transformation. As a young girl, Kirsten displayed a talent for insightful and imaginative poetry. At age 16, Kirsten faced the death of her father and other personal life challenges. Poetry was her way of penetrating through her grief and loss to confirm that love is the strongest thread in the fabric of life. This slim volume, unique in that it is one of very few published works of poetry by a teenager, has sold more than 6000 copies since it was first published in April of 1997. Other teenagers find it speaks to them, gives them hope and inspiration for their struggles and opens their creativity. Parents are moved by the story of a young girl facing the loss of her father and finding her center. Teachers are adding it to their poetry blocks. Ministers are quoting it. Social workers are donating it to clients. And, grief counselors are reading it in their support groups. Linda Bergh, Kirsten's mother, who was injured in the car accident that killed her daughter, published and has been sharing Kirsten's book in poetry classes, grief groups and bookstores across the country. Here are some of the powerful responses to She Would Draw Flowers from high school students, parents and "Fourteen years ago on a November night, I lost my best friend, age seventeen, to a car accident. I was supposed to be with her. I was devastated and unable to deal with her death. Kirsten unlocked for me that corner of my life that I had not dealt with in all these years. I cried and cried---She Would Drew Flowers is beautiful. Kirsten's book of poetry is everything I need to heal the hurt I have carried." Lynn, Parent, New York state "Kirsten writes with a rare mixture of mature poise and youthful exuberance. In reading excerpts from She Would Drew Flowers to my graduate students, I notice a hush falls over the classroom, stirred only the occasional murmur of appreciation for the poignancy of her verses. She evokes so clearly the anxieties, but also the joyous expectations of the present adolescent generation." Douglas Gerwin, Waldorf School Teacher/Trainer, Wilton, New Hampshire "Your talk [about Kirsten's book] really moved people, at least it did me. I'm inspired to try writing more. It's therapeutic. Kirsten's book makes me feel as if I almost know her. It's a bridge to her soul. It's so great having a published book by a teenager. My friends and I agree - keep taking Kirsten's book to teenagers." A high school student in Minnesota "Lately I've dealt with much pain. I have learned from you - and Kirsten's book - that a way to deal with pain is to talk about it - to write about it, however hard it may be. You and Kirsten have really touched me and taught me more than any textbook really could have." A high school student in Minnesota "I direct an educational organization which has sent nearly 100,000 young people abroad. We have made a decision to put a copy of Kirsten's book into the hands of our 300 group leaders in order to remind them that in every teenager lies a beautiful story to be told, a spirit to be let free." Edie Green, Director of Intercultural Student Experience, Minneapolis, Minnesota "I have no inspiration to write this poem,
except for when the sky opened up yesterday
and a voice said "Use me, I am all you need!"
A young woman around my age came to me with a page
A page of sorrow, death, and happiness
But the page was flowing with beauty and courage
Her voice and spirit filling me with inspiration...
I picked up a pen and a pad of my own
After all this time, I had the inspiration to write this poem."
Saresse Nelson, freshman, Southwest High, Minneapolis Minnesota "Not only do people feel reminded of a beauty and tenderness long misplaced within themselves, but, even more wonderfully, are full of a renewed compassion to lift up their friends and loved ones. Colleagues often ask for more books. One person picked up half a dozen to send to friends and more to drop off at adolescent group homes. He said he believed in the healing power of Kirsten's observations of life." Jim Jacoby, An inner-city social worker Minneapolis Minnesota "Thank you for sending me She Would Draw Flowers. It is a powerful, beautiful book. The book is already checked out of our library, and I'm sure it will touch many students hears - as it did mine." A high school librarian, New Hampshire

Genres: Poetry

Paperback

Published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Meghan Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful collection of poetry from 17 y/o Kristen Savitri Bergh. Her intense use of imagery mixed with nostalgia really made this book a new favorite of mine. May her spirit live on in her writing shared with the world. This is a wonderful testament to a truly LIVED life. Her passion for nature, relationships, & family truly comes out in her writing. I love back stories as well, so having those bits mixed in from her mother was really special & helped me better understand where the poems came from. Through grief, heartbreak, & lust for life, this book was birthed. A truly beautiful book! Enjoyed every bit.

[KJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not huge into poetry but you could tell this girl had some real passion for poetry and art. Before her father passed away, her poems were sweet and something you could imagine a teenager girl writing about (but still very well done for her age and for poetry period). Then, as life gets more serious, her poems seem to become memorials and her coping tools. It's so sad that her talent didn't get a chance to mature even more, as she should have been allowed to do, and reach it's full potential. The book is an amazing memorial to what seemed to be a sweet, sensitive and talented young lady.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing writing for such a young soul. Makes you wonder what this woman would have accomplished had her life been longer. She's full of love, passion and music. She really sings through her words and drawings. I love this book of poetry and sketches. I first got my hands on it when I was about 15, I loved it then and I love it now. I just started reading it also to my five year old daughter and she's in love with it too!