The alarm
Jolts me awake
Each morning
Well, at least
Causes
My eyes
To open
I’m beginning
To think of
Awake
As a process
One with
Many steps
The number
Of which
May vary
From person
To person
Not sure
The steps matter
What matters
Is the outcome
The place
Where my feet
Firmly land
Where my eyes
Open wide
With wonder
And my heart
Prepares to fill
And be filled
Alongside
All those who
Also decided
To wake up
Tiny deer
Bouncing
In the misty
Green
Of dusk
Behind
Two horses
Unaware
Standing
As if posing
For a picture
Family
Of deer
Grazing
In the misty
Green
Of morning
Stately buck
Standing
Quietly
Keeping
Watch
No sign
Of the horses
From last
Evening
They must
Be sleeping
Picture a lovely field below rolling hills, back-lined with a row of trees. A picturesque barn stands in the middle of the scene. I pass this field every day on my way to work.
I expect to see the horses, permanent residents. Multiple mornings this week, I was pleasantly surprised to see the deer. And one evening, the lone little deer exploring. Each sighting brought a smile and a deep breath.
Colleague: We almost had a fight in the library over who would be the first to check out your book. Not really, but some of the kids were excited. I am glad they have this connection with you and poetry.
Student: Mrs. Morris, I was the first to check out your book from the library!
Student: My mom has the book you wrote at our house.
Colleague: I’ve been reading your book. I’m really enjoying it and learning a lot about you.
These may sound like simple comments. But each of them lifted my spirits more than they could possibly know. And they could not have come at a more needed time.
The start of school is always hard. Everyone is getting back into a routine. Takes a bit to adjust. And although classes are going well, I am feeling tired.
Grateful for the encouragement. And thankful for the reminder that kind words truly can make someone’s day. ❤️
Holding your little hand
As we walk
From outside
Thru the doors
Down the hall
To your classroom
Today
Unlike yesterday
I gained
Your trust
And trust
Is always
Worth carrying
Seeing your sweet smile
As you exit
Your car
Walking towards me
On the sidewalk
Stopping for a hug
And a quick
I’ll see you tomorrow
Today, I felt
Your joy
And joy
Is always
Worth carrying
Seeing tears
Fill your eyes
As we talk
In the hallway
At the end of
A difficult day
So many questions
So hard on yourself
Today, I offered
Encouragement
And encouragement
Is always
Worth carrying
As this day ends
I wonder
What will be
Worth carrying
Tomorrow?
Once again, I had the privilege of joining a poetry circle facilitated by Ali Grimshaw https://flashlightbatteries.blog/. It was the perfect end to a long day of teaching. To write, not worrying about what shows up on the page. To listen intently to others and be heard with the same intention. Time to be still and reflect. Not to mention, getting to know people from all over the world. What a joy! ❤️
Out of Body by Need to Breathe was my Friday morning drive soundtrack. I love this album-every song. I have listened to it many times.
That morning was the start of the last day of the first week of school. I was exhausted. My music choice was intentional. I wanted to have the same energy from my previous two days of teaching. Not an easy task.
The song Hang On was playing. It is high-energy, fun, encouraging. As I sang along, one line stood out like never before.
So hang on to the light in your eyes and the feeling. Hang on to your love drunk original reason.
And all these things I’ve learned, it’s never a straight line.
Uphill
Downhill
Around
A curve
Sometimes
A guardrail
Sometimes not
At the onset
My destination
Seemed clear
The plan
Clearly
Mapped
Things look
Different
On paper
Detours
Construction
Roadblocks
Caused confusion
Second-guesses
Until finally
I realized
It is not about
The destination
It is about
The journey
And the best
Journeys
Are never
A straight line
A third-grade class is entering the music room. One little boy says, “You remember me.” “Of course, I remember you!” He gives me a big hug and says, “I missed you so much!”
He was in my music class last year.
A fourth-grader calls out to me from the cafeteria line. “Hey, Mrs. Morris. What happened to your hair?” “What do you mean?” “Well, it looks whiter.” We had a good laugh.
He was in my music class last year.
Fifth grade is entering the music room. I see familiar eyes smiling above a face mask. Suddenly, this student is hugging me and will not let go. “I missed you so much!” When she let go, there were tears in her eyes. And then, of course, tears in mine. “Oh, my goodness. You were in virtual all last year! Look how tall you’ve gotten!” She nodded her head and smiled.
She was in my music class two years ago. My first year at this school. And we were only in person until Spring Break due to the beginning of the pandemic.
We often talk about the importance of connections. We don’t always grasp their power at the moment. Sometimes we might not see the results at all. And yet, we continue. Each day, learning a little bit more about these precious ones placed on our path. Each day, challenging them to grow. Each day, showing them they are loved.
I am grateful for these sweet reminders on this second day of school. Oh, and for the power of laughter. 😉❤️
Tomorrow is the first day of school. Parents and students will be gathered outside the building early tomorrow morning. Some will be excited, some nervous, some may even be afraid. Once again, they will be coming to school in a pandemic yet to be under control.
I have many thoughts, opinions, and experiences on this subject, but now is not the time. Now I have an opportunity. More important than any opinion I might share.
What is it? The opportunity to greet families. The opportunity to welcome students to the music room, making music with approximately 175 kiddos by the end of the day.
Will it all go the way I have planned? Probably not. And that is ok. Because the next day, I get to do it all again. A little more tired than the day before, but that is ok, too.
As for now, I think it is time for bed…😴
Please
Do not
Turn away
I need
To see more
Than a shadow
Even a glimpse
Of your
Strength
Shines
Like the sun
On a bright
New day
Offering
The chance
To start over
With this truth
I do not live
In your
Shadow
I live
In your
Love
Far-off
Rumble
In the late
Afternoon
Looking
Outside
My eyes
Squint
Realizing
The sky has
Grown dark
Winds begin
To blow
Rain begins
To fall
Air begins
To cool
I begin
To relax
A perfect
Recipe
For rest
After this
Busy day
Falling
Somewhere
Between
Anxious
And calm
Standing in
The soft sand
May feel good
On my feet
But what happens
When a storm
Approaches?
Do I remain
Uncertain
On the sand
Knowing it could
Quickly wash from
Under my feet
Or do I move
To solid ground
Standing on
The one rock
That promises
To remain strong
That calls to me
Thru the waves
Come, stand here
I will never move
