Do you ever feel Restless Lose track of time Or maybe your Car keys Focus blurry From Tired body Tired mind Too much time Thinking about Life’s worries… Place your hands Over your eyes As a shield But remember to Spread your fingers Wide enough for Tiny particles Of sun dust To filter thru The open spaces And carry hope Into your heart
This past weekend, a song I had not heard in a long time came to mind. One of those you are not alone kinds of songs. I don’t know about you, but I needed to hear these words, soak them in and then send them back out. Have a listen.
Most teachers have moments of wondering-are they hearing anything I’m saying? Sometimes it is difficult to know. I want to believe our students remember more than we think they do. Especially the things that are most important.
My attitude has not been great this week. Several reasons that really don’t matter. But I could have easily been described as tired, grumpy, and irritable on several occasions. Today there were a couple of sparks that helped change all of that.
First, if you’ve never heard First or Second graders sing, it is precious. Their voices are pure and sweet. Today, they were learning about how music notes are placed on lines. And how they could learn to read those notes. Specifically, sol and mi.
Each song we learned was a different combination of those two tones. In one of the activities, I would sing a pattern, they would echo. The fun came when we sang along with an accompaniment.
They sounded so sweet! I was trying to express how happy it made me hearing them sing. One little First-grader raised their hand.
Mrs. Morris, are we filling your bucket?
I smiled. Yes! You are filling my bucket!
Our teacher says we filled hers, too.
I recorded their song and let them listen. There were giggles and smiles. Then I emailed the recording to their teacher. I also relayed their bucket comments so she would know they had been listening after all.
Sole of My foot Pressing Against Warm concrete Rocking chair Gently Moving me Back and forth As I watch Pines dance Across the way Strong-yet, Graceful One leaning Into the next And the next Then back again Their inspiration Originating from The same Cool breeze That graces My face I am alive And although There are no Instruments No melody There is music All the same
Dust in the Wind by KansasKelley Morris, piano
This song may not match the sentiments of this poem exactly. However, there is one line that stood out to me today. A line I had not given much thought to when I was younger. It really is the simple things.
As the sky Blends Pink with Bluish gray And daylight Begins to fade A chorus of Creatures Greets the Approaching Darkness- Frogs croak Birds whistle Crickets chirp The whir of cicadas Although hidden From view Their songs Surround me An audience of one- The moment I consider Closing My eyes To listen Closely A gaggle Of geese Appears Overhead In perfect Formation Their voices A final chorus In this evening Serenade
I wrote this poem a couple of weeks ago. It was one of those rare cool summer evenings. Tonight brings cooler temperatures once again, and along with it, the first hints of Fall. I wonder what those creatures think of that? 😉
Silence is simple Or so I thought Best to keep Feelings Intense Hidden Fearing If spoken Out loud They might Become an Endless Roaring Waterfall Of emotion Drowning myself And all who Approach Might is the key I suppose It can’t see The future Nor can I And waterfalls Though powerful Are great teachers Inspiring The heart To open even In the face of Apprehension
Earlier this week, I sat down to play the piano. And So It Goes by Billy Joel was one of my choices. It seemed to stick in my mind for the rest of the week. So, this morning I read the lyrics and wrote from the line that stood out.
The cafeteria during kindergarten lunch. Twice this week, as I’m assisting with lunch, I hear the following -”Hey! You’re the music people!” “Yes, yes I am!” Nothing like The Village People. Well…
Scene Two
Kindergarten music class. “Hey, Music Teacher! I have ten kittens. I want to give you a kitten!”
Scene Three
Same as above, except at kindergarten lunch. Same sweet boy. ❤️
Scene Four
Talking with three 5th graders about self-control and being leaders. One girl says to the side, “Cute outfit!”
I’ll take it! But probably not the kitten. 😉
There are more, but I’ll stop there. School is exhausting. Kids are funny and sweet, grumpy and angry. But they are kids. I’m working to find the best in each day with them.
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
Notes Rests Sound Silence Working Together To make music Pleasing Not only To the ears But also Body, mind, soul And yet, One key Element Is often An afterthought- Silence If not Savored Disappears Transposing Sweet melody To mere noise Leaving No time To breathe No time To sing
No memories Of my own With which To compare Only descriptions Heard in Favorite songs Until now… Driving thru Stockbridge Lennox, Lee Witnessing The greens Shining Dreamlike In the Berkshires Quaint towns Connected by Winding roads Surrounded by Rolling hills Under blue skies And moonlight- Each one holding Its own history Of joy and pain Both personal And collective- Places once alive Only in songs Now alive anew As music and Snapshots are Forever forged In my mind
My mind Can hardly Separate The words From melody Notes rising And falling…one After the other In seasons of distress and grief Can you hear it? I silently sing The phrase As I write- Many times It has entered My thoughts Unannounced… Waiting for A phone call Sitting in a Hospital room Driving to A funeral… The music repeats Easing tension On the last note The last word Of the new phrase My soul has often found relief Listen closely A peaceful Resolution Sweet hour of prayer
