I took a step
Into the cold
Where heavy
Shadows held
The quiet morning
In stillness-
One more step
And the motion
Of sunbeams
Began to light
The tiptop
Of the day-
A few more steps
Morning’s shadows
Were left behind
As affectionate
Sunlight reached
The ground below
And I walked
Into the day
Thankful for
The Love that
Creates the shade
While pushing
The darkness away
Tag: light
Stronger Than Hate
I sense an oppression
More relentless than
This current heatwave
An already heavy
Weight of Worry
Now increased by fear
From hateful words
Spewed on repeat
Intended to threaten even
The most vulnerable-
Words holding no truth
Words intending to
Burn the schoolhouse
To the ground
Leaving our children
To play in the ashes-
And yet
We know
Light shines
In the darkness
We know
Love overcomes hate
We know
Standing together
In those truths
Is the only way
To permeate
The darkest of times
The hardest of hearts
Schools are like mini-communities. Each classroom is its own family. Everyone belongs no matter what. Learning to get along, solving problems, and growing. Playing, laughing, disagreeing, forgiving. And that is only in the first thirty minutes of the day! 😉
These are challenging times for public education. There are constant attacks laced with political rhetoric that have no place in conversations regarding education. Rhetoric repeated so much it has led to threats of violence. And threats only place another layer of fear and stress on students, parents, teachers, and staff.
My friends, family, former colleagues, and former students have faced those threats this past week. And though I am no longer in the classroom, my heart is heavy. I could not let this week pass without sending them this message. I see you! I love you! What you do matters! ❤️
Illumination
Far away stars
Shine bright
Against the
Night sky
Rays of sunlight
Suddenly pierce
Gray clouds
After a storm
Tiny lights
Gently twinkle
Among the
Evergreen branches-
Light speaks all languages
Providing
Glimmers of hope
Bursts of joy
Moments of Mercy
Only a little
Is required
To illuminate
The Darkness
Seasonal
I sensed
Its approach
One morning
Leaving for work
In the dark
Not like an
Impending
Sense of doom
Just a weightiness
Not present
The day before
Changing seasons
Can feel that way
Filled with both
Beauty and angst
Watching leaves fall
After Stunning
Transformations
Mourning their loss
While clinging
To the hope
Of new buds
In the Spring
Relishing falling
Temperatures
Cooling my skin
Mourning the
Consequent
Dwindling
Of sunshine
While clinging
To the hope
Of new light
Following the cold
Dark days of winter
Believing once again
This heaviness will lift
A Unique Lens
The longer I look
The clearer I see-
Those shining
Brightest
Are always
First in view
And though
Initially
Outshining
Their neighbors
All are worth
Exploring
Even when
Taking a
Closer look
Requires a
Unique lens
One that will
Magnify light while
Decreasing distance-
Whether gazing
Up at the stars
Or into
Surrounding
Souls
The resulting
Phenomenon
Is the same-
Increasing light
Increasing love
Increasing hope
Be the Light
Experiencing
Darkness is
Universal
As is the hope
For a light
To ease
Our gloom
We are not
Intended
To live alone
On an island
No contact
With another
Living soul
Each of us
Will have
Opportunity
To be the hand
Reaching
Thru the fog
Or the one
Grateful
To be pulled
Out of the murk
Weightless
In the arms
Of our brother
Worth Telling
Magic
In a tiny
Cardboard disc
Cutout windows
Evenly spaced
Around its edges
Each one holding
Transparent film
Unclear images
Until said disc
Is carefully placed
In the slot on top
Of the viewfinder-
Eyes glued
To the lenses
Held up to the light
And a whole new
Word emerges
Click the side button
To continue the journey
Image after image
Sharing a story
Worth telling-
We all have a story
Worth telling
Our very own
Cardboard disc
Filled with
Windows
To the soul
Sharing another poetry circle poem. Thankful for opportunities and connections. ❤️
Brushstrokes
Morning rises
Night falls
A continuous cycle
Framing daily
Comings
And goings
I trust it to happen
Sometimes, even
Press pause to
Catch a glimpse
And though
It takes place
Right in front
Of my eyes
I don’t actually
Know it’s happening
A transformation
So gradual
Never to be
Repeated
Brushstrokes
And colors
Forever new
Always ending
With light or dark
Visual changes
Left behind
In the heavens
Spiritual changes
Rested deep
Within the soul
Inviting Light
Days when
Words try to
Stay hidden
In the deep
Crevices
Of my mind
No one else
May enter
Unless invited
I attempt to
Pry them out
Giving voice
To the feelings
Held behind
The words
While knowing
That sharing
The positives
Will prove easier
Than sharing
The negatives
Days when
Words try to
Stay hidden
I am learning
And re-learning
To write them down
Inviting light
To gently restore
The fractures
While easing my fears
Lights Off
Driving at night
Noticing lights
Shining inside
And outside
All the houses
In a variety of
Shapes and sizes
Perfectly lining
All the streets
Helping me
Find my way-
The Moon
Dimly shines
In the corner of my eye
A star or two, as well
Is there ever such thing as too much light?
Driving at night
Wishing on
Veiled stars
Too numerous
For my mind to hold
I know they are there
I’ve seen them before
Long to see them again
From my speck of Earth
For all the lights
To be turned off
To walk outside
Lay down on the grass
Look up, and marvel
As darkness disappears
Piano Girl 