That Time of Year

On August 10, 2021 By Piano girl7 Comments

Back to School! School supply shopping, bulletin boards, laminating, meet-the-teacher. Even planning those beginning of the year lessons. Lots of smiles and hugs. Old and new faces.

Doesn’t that sound exciting? It is supposed to be…

And yet, here we are. Listening every day as people argue over how to deal with a virus that continues to make people sick and unnecessarily end lives. Listening as opinions are expressed passionately with little to no foundation, especially where schools are concerned.

I have had moments of excitement. My classroom looks inviting. Colorful dots on the floor and posters on the walls. Ready for students to enter one week from tomorrow.

I will be there to welcome them with a smile. Even though there will still be a knot in my stomach. I have had COVID and am fully vaccinated. My students are not yet eligible. Back to School feels like a test-one I do not want to fail.

What Should I Do?

On August 7, 2021 By Piano girl5 Comments

Walking around
The house
So many things
Need doing
Should I force myself
To complete this list
Even if it’s not really
What I want to do-
Or should I
Choose to ignore
Outside voices
And only listen
To the one
In my head
Quietly
Hum your way
Through the day
Rested and content-
Those things
That need doing
Will be there
Tomorrow-
As for today
They simply
Have to wait

Only a few days before school starts. Although I will be ready to see students and colleagues, the transition is always tiring. Soaking up a bit more rest before it’s time.

Keep Writing

On August 5, 2021 By Piano girl4 Comments

Ideas scattered
No inspiration
Whether to seek
Or to settle
Accepting
The need to let
My mind rest
Not sure
I know how…
Pick up the pen
Perhaps
Motor
Movement
Will trigger
Creativity
Perhaps not-
Either way
Watching
Words appear
Somehow
Slows
Racing heart
Cools
Heated face
Relaxes
Frantic brain-
Powerful process
Placing thoughts
On a page

Summer break is coming to an end. I am preparing for school to start. We continue to deal with living in a pandemic. Not surprisingly, my thoughts are scattered. And that is ok. There is strength in honesty. ❤️

Simply Sunday

On August 1, 2021 By Piano girl1 Comment

Overcast sky
On this day of rest
Not dull
Not dreary
Sunshine
Is present
Hiding
Behind clouds
Bright patches
Lighting our paths
Shady spots
Providing reprieve
Overcast sky
On this day of rest
Needed
Welcomed

Already?

On July 30, 2021 By Piano girl17 Comments

When the pink letters came in the mail last week, I thought this can’t be right. There is no way it is already time for my mammogram. It was only in March that I had surgery. An incisional biopsy. And before that, an MRI, ultrasounds, more mammograms, etc.

But here was my pink letter, sent twice. So, I called to schedule. And today was the day.

Even though my previous test results were all benign, I found myself feeling panicky this morning. The thought of a mammogram, especially after surgery, made me cringe. But I got up, got dressed, and headed that way.

Well, I stopped at Starbucks first for a London Fog latte. Surely that would help.

Checked in, got my little bracelet, and was called back in a few minutes. Undress from the waist up, put on your cape, opens in the front. Always the same. I chuckled when I saw the flowery material. After putting it on, I proceeded to take a selfie. For some unknown reason, I felt the need to document.

*Wouldn’t you love to be this fashion forward?* 😉

Still feeling a little anxious, I took a deep breath and tried to relax. And then, at the perfect moment, my mom sent a text. Praying for you. Love and hugs. Of course, I responded by sending her my selfie.

The technician was friendly. She asked me my birthdate, routine. After a few seconds of thinking, She laughed and said, I am 25 days older than you. We laughed that I was making her do the math. She quickly put me at ease.

Was it still uncomfortable? Yes. But was it necessary? Also, yes.

Early detection is crucial. And the only way for that to happen is consistent screening. Don’t wait! Besides, you might just get to wear a lovely flowery cape. 🌸💗

Eyes in the Sky

On July 28, 2021 By Piano girl2 Comments

I spied
Two eyes
In the sky
Today
Against a
Backdrop
Fluffy white
Strikingly
Tinted
Bluish gray
Two eyes
Looking
My way
Feeling
Inquisitive
I returned
Their look
Wondering
What they
Might say
A smile
A sparkle
Followed
By a wink
Before they
Looked away

Summer’s End

On July 26, 2021 By Piano girl7 Comments

Sweltering heat
Suffocated
The entire
Afternoon
One step
Outside
And I was
Immobile
In the still
Stifling air
Surely, I
Would not
Wish away
A summer day-
Quite
The change
From early
This morning
When, after
One look
At the calendar
I realized
Summer was
Slipping away
And began
Wishing
It would last
Just
A little
Longer-
Now I wonder
How many days
Will pass before
A cool breeze
Blows the wisps
Of loose hair
In my messy
Ponytail

I Saw Two Faces

On July 24, 2021 By Piano girl2 Comments

Round and sweet
Neatly framed
With cropped
Gray hair
As I passed by
The corner
Breakfast table
Where she sat
With her son
Or grandson
Our eyes met
She returned
My smile

Frail and quiet
Head tufted
With remnants
Of white hair
As I passed by
The corner
Where he sat
In a cardboard box
Turned bed
Surrounded by
Carefully placed
Blankets and pillows
Our eyes did not meet

I wish they had
That we had
Shared a smile

I dared not stare

Check out my debut poetry collection. Available now on Amazon and at Potter’s Grove Press. (Above poem not included in collection.) https://pianogirlthoughts.com/2021/05/20/book-release-2/

Favorite Questions

On July 24, 2021August 6, 2021 By Piano girlLeave a comment

What is your favorite color? Perhaps the most asked question of childhood.

You meet a new friend on the playground. What is your favorite color? Drawing a picture in art. What is your favorite color?

My answer is blue. I’m not sure it has always been blue. It seems I remember short periods of loving pink and purple. But now, it is blue.

A beautiful blue sky. My dad’s blue eyes. Waters flowing through lakes, rivers, streams. And of course, the ocean.

The varieties in shades of blue amaze me. I was reminded why on a recent drive down the Pacific Coast Highway.

Looking out over ocean views, I could see the color-changing lines in the water. A perfect separation, as if someone had painted one section then the next. And those blues continued as far as the eye could see, until finally meeting the blues of the sky.

Yes, blue is my favorite color. What is yours? 💙