Why does
The heart
So often resist
Needed change
All while
The body
Is crying
Please stop!
You need to rest!
Because of fear?
Fear of what?
Disappointing someone?
Making a wrong choice?
The heart knows
The answer
All along
Yet, continues
To wrestle
Within itself
That is, until
Strong arms
Take over
Wrapping
Themselves
Around the chest
Squeezing tight
Releasing
A message
Of reassurance-
Have faith!
It will be ok
Sharing a previously posted poem today. Taking my own advice…rest. 😊
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
Thirty extra minutes
If there is such a thing
Ten degrees cooler
There is such a thing
Shade provided
By clouds
A chance
To breathe
Collect
My thoughts
Both were gifts
And gifts are unique
Touchable
Or ethereal
Surprising
Or predictable
And sometimes
When welcomed
Simultaneously
Gratefulness
Is multiplied
I can feel
The weary
In my heart
Hear it
In my hands
But I play
And share
Then play
Some more…
Left lighter
“How wonderful life is while you’re in the world” ❤️
The more I sleep
The more I dream
Sleep is good
So are dreams
But if my eyes
Remain closed
For too long
And dreams end
With waking
Never to be
Considered again
What purpose did they serve?
They are not fulfilled
By wishing, but by
Opening my eyes
To the world outside
Remembering
Both the sweet
And the restless
Allowing them to
Move my feet
One step
Then another
Embracing action
Accepting rest
Avoiding idleness
Held in a cycle
Of discovery
And learning
Failures and
Successes
Seeing dreams
As the starting mark
While welcoming
The holding of hands
That will, together
Cross the finish line
School started last week. Needless to say, it was a busy week! And I am tired. I was glad to see students again. 😊
I missed reading words and thoughts from my WordPress family last week. Most evenings, my brain had no room left. That, and I could barely keep my eyes open through dinner. 😉 Hoping to play catch up this weekend. Happy Saturday!
I only get
This one body
Beautifully
Complicated
Strong
Yet, fragile
An outer shell
Protecting
The heart beating
Inside my chest
Brain thinking
Inside my head
Eyes seeing
Outside my world
Bones, muscles, tendons
All connected
Carrying me
One step
One thought
One view
At a time-
This one body
That from time
To time feels
Pain, frustration
Inadequacies
From time to time
Experiences
Amazing happenings-
Carried three
Tiny beings
Until they were
Ready to meet
The world
Wrapped arms
Around them
Wiped away
Their tears
Held on to
Their hands-
Learning to love
This one body
Both its strengths
And weaknesses
This one temporary body
That houses my soul
My brain hurts
Well, actually
I think it’s numb
Tired body
Tired heart
Words are
Bouncing
Around
In my head
Aim is off
Can’t seem
To find
Their way out
Maybe for the best
Probably wouldn’t
Sound the same
If I said them
Out loud
Perhaps writing
Them down
Would help…
Today, I…
Need to rest
Don’t want to listen
Don’t feel like engaging
Whew! Think I feel better!
After writing this poem, I had a revelation. If I feel this way some days, so do my students. And while I can put my feelings into words, that is not always easy for children.
Ok, so maybe this wasn’t a revelation, but it was a reminder. I need to be aware of facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice-mine and my students. Tempering my actions and reactions by keeping the clues close at heart. ❤️
Every sound
Amplified
As if a megaphone
Was pointed directly
Into my ear
Each step
Heavier than
The one before
I try to smile
It’s not all bad
But, yesterday was great!
Why does today feel so opposite?
Same place
Same plans
The same me-I think
So, what could it be?
Energy expended
Yesterday
Not recouped
For today
Just two recommendations-
First, listen as
Five and six-year-olds
Sing their favorite songs
Second, go home
And take a nap
A great day of teaching requires a great deal of energy. Those where I wake up rested and ready tend to be the best. I can focus on the students and the music, all of us engaged and having fun.
But oh, those days when I did not sleep well the night before. Or some unexpected stress. Those days can be a struggle. My lack of energy affects my focus. If I am not engaged, neither are my students.
Teaching is both challenging and rewarding work! Some days will not go as planned. But some days are not all days. Children singing, particularly songs from the movie Encanto, and naps help. 😉 ❤️
Clearly, my ears are playing tricks
But that sound is so familiar
A waterfall?
Rushing mountain spring?
Standing in my driveway
I know neither is nearby
Still…I cannot resist
The urge to turn around
And look
No, not rushing water
Merely the wind
Strong yet, peaceful
Making its way thru
A proud row of tall pines
I smiled
The wind subsided
Its message clear
At the end of a busy day…rest
The first day back to school after a break is always challenging. Yes, there are lots of smiles, hugs, and high-fives. But there are also tired kiddos and teachers all easing back into those all-important routines.
The first day back during a continuing pandemic adds another layer of challenge. Staff and students out sick, difficulty finding subs. Our resolve was tested on many levels. And yet, we keep moving forward, working together. But we must also remind each other to rest.
Oh, that I would not
Miss the chance
To know you
Past your likes
Past your dislikes
The chance
To offer time
As a gift for us both-
After all, that is
The only way
We truly connect
Occupying
The same space
In the physical
In the technological
Either has the ability
To spark the same magic
Oh, that I would not
Miss the chance
To know you
Due to the foolishness
Of a word
Such as busy-
Is there really such a thing, anyway?
Thanks again to Ali Grimshaw for continuing to facilitate thoughtful, poignant poetry circles. http://flashlightbatteries.blog
Piano Girl 