Some Inspiration

Something I have noticed about teaching is that my identity tends to get wrapped up, even defined by my role in the life of students. I sometimes forget who I, Sarah, am — the quirks and gifts that I have carried with my heart, mind, and body.

So today I invite you to think about yourself (I know so difficult to do) and tell us about your best part, the best part of you — not the teacher you, but the you who you’ve always been.

Poem Pointers

Choose one of these to get you started or try a stanza for each –3 or 4 lines that rhyme or just have a similar meter (syllables per line):

  • describe what your best part looks like — size, color, shape, texture
  • tell what your best part allows you to do that you enjoy
  • tell who gave you this part, was it inherited, developed/earned through experience or necessity
  • state the words, the best part of me, somewhere in your poem

Post your new poem in the comment section below and then celebrate the “best” of your fellow poets with supportive comments.

Sarah’s Poem

The best part of me
no one can see.
It is not my nose, my nails, or my knees.
It is not my face, my forearms, or my feet.

The best part of me comes alive when I day dream.
Ideas for world peace.
Imaginings for stories.
Words to assuage pain.
Lessons to connect us.

The best part of me that stirs in a day dream
might just mean
that I am not listening
to you
And for that
I am sorry.

When you catch me staring off into space,
ask me what I am thinking.
I will gladly bring you into my dream
and the best part
of me.

The daily inspirations for #verselove2019 are merely suggestions. If there is something within your heart or mind that you want to work through in verse today, please do so. There are no rules about the topic, length, or form — just poem any way you wish. Feel free to invite friends and colleagues to join us any time throughout April. Check out NCTE Verse for poem resources and click here for fifty verse novel recommendations.

Some suggestions for commenting on the poems during our April together.
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Zacarías Rivera

The best of me
Lo mejor de mi
I lend my ears
I lend my hands
I lift my voice in protest
I lift my voice in praise
I give my time
I give my heart
The comida I cook
With sazon and amor

Anna J. Small ROSEBORO

Sarah, the vulnerability and honesty you share in this poem is revealing, and equally appealing in your welcoming the reader into your dream. I like that, because sharing our dreams may help them come true. Thanks for sharing yours in this poem.

Andrea Smolin

I have a toddler
I rarely sit down
I am constantly cooking
I vacuum a lot
My home is full of cabinet locks and outlet covers
I no longer wear necklaces or heels
I find army guys in my bed
I get 15,000 steps a day just chasing him at the playground
My car is a mess
I never poop alone
The bathroom is always wet

I have a toddler
I belly laugh hourly
I wake up excited for the adventures of the day
Strangers smile at me
Sometimes I lay in bed and just listen to him breathe
I love to smell his hair after bath time
When he cries, a piece of my heart tears and all I want to do is hold him tight
I feel like a SUPERHERO
I give a lot of hugs
I receive monster hugs that usually involve wet kisses
I look at him and wonder what the next twenty years will bring me

Andrea Smolin

Please disregard. Meant to post to today.

Judy Shafer

The best part of me
Creates laughter on a rainy day
Holds you close while I read you a book
Notices the stillness of the air as the new day begins
Praises God for all the possibilities a new day brings
Connects with others, making them smile
Helps with chores and homework
Shares a good meal with the ones I love
The best part of me
Relaxes and reflects on making the world a better place

Andrea Smolin

Judy, I love this. I especially love the line about Praising God. Beautiful

Tricia

Dad you are who I am.
More than you will know.
You made me who I wanted to be.
Strong, quiet (not always) ,thoughtful,
Trustworthy, loyal.
All the positive yet some not so.
Quiet, strong willed, in my head, unmovable.
I watched, took it in. Looked up and saw.
Dad, you are the best of me.
You are my my support for when I need some,
My friend and confidant .
I need and want to have you close by till forever.
Dad you are who I am.

Andrea Smolin

Tricia, your words are beautiful and I can only imagine how honored your Dad will feel when he reads this.

Kate Givens

Voice, you are blown glass
red-tipped yet smooth
twisting into shapes as
I never knew you could.

You cut through the ice
you peal like bells
you drop low and rise
in peals of laughter
in soft lullabies.

it’s always been you and me
oaky treble, chest deep.

Tricia

I love how your voice takes on many different personas.

Tracy Vogelgesang

The best part of me
believes the best is yet to come!
Each day that passes
I grow wiser,
love more deeply,
and find more joy in simple things.

The best part of me
shines brighter with my heart’s companion.
As we age together
we grow closer,
strengthen our bond,
and cherish the moments we have together.

The best part of me
thrills when I spend time with my children.
Adulting suits them well.
I grow prouder,
enjoy their company,
and know they make this world better.

The best part of me
giggles and squeals as we run through the house.
With red curls bouncing
she grows quickly,
calls me Mom-mom,
and builds precious, precious memories with Papa and me.

The best part of me
adjusts her headphones to hear me as I greet her.
With sketchbook beside her
she grows wiser,
dreams future dreams,
and treats Papa and me with much love and respect.

Yes, the best part of me
gets better as time passes day by day!
Each day that passes
I grow wiser,
love more deeply,
and find more joy in simple things.

Mo Daley

I really feel your optimism and positivity. I can totally relate to your take on modern day parenting. Love it!

Amy Rasmussen

For my 50th birthday my children gave me a list —
“50 Reasons Why We Love Mom”
It hangs on the wall in my bedroom,
a reminder of the best part of me

The best part of me lives in my daughters

like raucous laughter on a lazy river
thick legs and too small boots in a DSW
and hugs that mean more than hugging

The best part of me lives in my sons

like Friday Night Lights all year long
hot brownies steaming under Cookies & Cream mountains
and the Soldier’s Creed on repeat:

I am a warrior and a member of a team

I am a warrior and a member of a team

And my team is the best part of me

Tracy Vogelgesang

I can feel your joy for your children and the activities that make them happy. Simple joys are the very best.

Melinda Buchanan

This piece made me gasp! The best part does live in our kids, and I am in awe of those who are strong enough to watch their sons become warriors. Your team is amazing!

Melinda Buchanan

The best part of me
Laughs so loud people turn and stare
Walks my horse like a dog
Turns “Yale” into a two-syllable word

The best part of me
Stopped wearing make-up ten years ago
Ignores “What Women Your Age Should Wear”
Accepts the gray, the wrinkles, and bifocals

The best part of me
Spends hours lost in a book
Pulls over to watch baby calves play
Makes people stop and think

The best part of me
Does not know how to give up on you
Rescues old dogs
Loves my life and all who grace my days

Kim

My favorite line – besides all
Of them- is “rescues old dogs.” Those who do this are the best of the best! You make me want to pull over and watch baby calves play. I’ve already cut my makeup by half and this poem
Inspires me to cut it down more!

Amy Rasmussen

I love this line: “Does not know how to give up on you” . — the word choice “does not know how” adds a level of meaning that shows a depth to who you are. Dogged, determined, devoted.

Jackie J

The best part of me, you ask?
I’ll see your imagination and raise a curiosity
That trumps your sense of humor with
Schick and BIC and Venus and Daisy
All in the trash can.
Because the best part of me is no longer a part of me:
I have finally lived long enough so that
There is nary a hair on my torso!
No peach fuzz on my arms, no bristles under my arms, no
Leg stubble…
A few gray wires down there insist on continuing
Their lonely vigil as guardians of the gate, so to speak,
But the best part of me is that I am finished balancing first
One soapy foot then the other
At the lip of the tub. I am through spitting
On little pieces of tissue to plaster nicks.
No more cents-off coupons, no more creams or waxes,
Rinse and repeat. Always the repeat.
The best part of me is no longer a part of me.
And I miss it like a toothache.

Jackie J

I meant to insert “four of a kind” in front of Schick etc. Sorry. It’s been 60 years since I tried writing a poem. This feeble effort is because my cousin challenged me. Thanks for the opportunity!

Susie

Nothin’ feeble about this!

Susie

Jackie – This rocks! Every one of these aging indignities that we wade through is so real. And we leave them in the dust and “miss it like a toothache.” That is a great snap of an ending. Lines make me chuckle out loud….no more hair, balancing in the tub, and to hell with coupons for 2 cents off. Ha! Downright real and fun! A poet… a lover of words and images that take us along for the ride. Way to go!

Amy Rasmussen

Oh, this is just delightful — all of it! Thank you for the smile!

Tricia

Love this! The first couple of lines really drew me in with the cards references. I’m glad your friend challenged you.

Michelle Hubbard

The best part of me
Makes me think, makes me dream, makes me wonder
It lives in a deep, hidden part

It loves fiercely and tries hard
It doesn’t like to show itself
Yet, it is always there beneath the surface

When I am listening to music
Reading a book
Doing yoga
Enjoying time with loved ones
It is there, sometimes unhiding, unashamed

The best part of me has always been there
Even when it hides, feels afraid, feels embarrassed
The best part of me is creative and bold when it wants to be

It is learning to come out of the shadows
It is learning to embrace the light

Melinda Buchanan

I love the line “It doesn’t like to show itself” because I think that touches on the discomfort we feel when asked to think about ourselves. It’s amazing how many of us are outgoing with our students, but truly introverted in the rest of our lives.

Gail Saathoff

I could relate to the idea of hiding the best part from the world. Your poem captured that insecurity perfectly! Thanks for sharing.

Tracy Vogelgesang

Michelle, I love the progression as you move from living “in a deep, hidden part” to “learning to come out of the shadows…learning to embrace the light.”

steve z

in those languid moments of synaptic stupor pierogi and borscht settle in a sour cream dollop of reverie
aunt vi and the fifty pound lasagna of spoiled cheese
vic and grace –good bread good meat, good god let’s eat—pass the biscuits please
wally was like a father to me
as far as i knew a father to be
uncle ralph as his so transparent altruism, my mom and her extended hand
my working single mother of two and
her humble callused hand

the environmental factors; unsupervised by necessity
independent by default
cob-webbed coal bender refuge
running for the sake of the chase
the cops had no chance

the future—such a distant thing—irrelevant
the experiments that lasted far too long
running for the sake of escape
my mom had no chance

the genetic factors; resilient by necessity
hearty by default
fire burns—my hand is proof
my scars are my story
i am the product

in the past i pondered—what if…?
but have since recognized the futility
i am the product…and
i’d have it no other way

Susie

Steve — In just these few lines, I feel like you’ve unveiled so much about who you are and where you’ve been. The memory of the “good bread…good god let’s eat”…certainly a part of my family, lets us in. The awareness you share…a kid who noticed his mom… a woman trying hard yet caught by her tough circumstances rings so real… her “calloused hand” and knowing she had “no chance.” That you now see all that complicated, difficult stuff made you a man with the poetics that turn a phrase and capture an image that matter to the rest of us. I LOVE the ending realization that all the scars and and burns become the story of you. Very cool. Thank you for sharing this piece. Susie

Glenda M. Funk

You hooked me w/ “synaptic stupor,” both in terms of the image and the alliteration. I also like the interjection of “good food, good meat, good god, let’s eat” into what seemed at first to be a formal subject. I notice the absence of capitalization and the fragmentation in your poem. Lots to unpack her. I like complicated.

Amy Rasmussen

This is such a powerful identity poem. I see you, and I am humbled by your honesty — and your experiences. I especially love the repetition in the lines “the cops had no chance” and “my mom had no chance.” That idea of “no chance” . . . then the shift to the self-realization. Powerful!

Tiffany Mumm

The Best Part of Me: Teacher Edition

The tough to love.
The hard to teach.
The quippy kids.
The ones out of reach.

Send them my way;
I’ll teach them all.
Brick by brick,
I’ll dismantle their wall.

Susie

Tiffany — such a hopeful piece! Makes me smile. So glad we have teachers with your spunk! Thanks! Susie

Christina Frierman

Love the line “Brick by brick/I’ll dismantle that wall.” As teachers, it is often our first job-to dismantle the wall before we can teach the child.

Michelle Hubbard

The line “brick by brick/I’ll dismantle their wall” is so powerful. Many kids are quick to hide and no to trust and I love how you set out to see beneath the surface.

Melinda Buchanan

These are the kids that get under our skin, get into our hearts, and stay with us always!

Susie

April 2, 2019

The Sum of My Parts

The best part of me
seems plain to see;
it laughs out loud,
loves easily,
and to the bone.

The best part of me
knows me
and that it’s tough to cut bait,
turn a cheek,
let it go.

The best part of me
plows on, maybe wiser, maybe not;
calibrates,
shakes off the dust,
reinvents my lot.

The best part of me
finally figures out how to listen,
still my voices,
hear you, see you
and all your selves and other choices.

The best part of me
puts me away and
knows you, holds you
always
dear.

Perhaps the best part of me
is you.

by Susie Morice

Christina Frierman

Powerful! I got goosebumps reading this.

Melinda Buchanan

The observation “it’s tough to cut bait,/turn a cheek,/let it go” resonates. Learning how to let it go can seem impossible, but carrying the weight of indignation is exhausting!

Kim

I love that you incorporated rhyme scheme into the poem! That part about letting go….it’s one of those things we have all had to experience and move on! Appreciate your message and the way you say it!

Andy Schoenborn

“The Best Parts of Me”

The best parts of me grew
from the earth
from rich soil
where I’ve s t r e t c h e d my
roots and branches.

The best parts of me rest,
br ea th in g,
behind a paper thin bark
where the sap moves slowly
in winter.

The best parts of me have names
I know by heart:
Julie and Dean
and Kendal and
Olivia and Everly.

Many more names
lie dormant
tucked under my tongue
and
hug the rings of years in my life.

The best parts of me reach out
to give kindness and courage
and forgiveness and
love and shelter
to embrace you
so
you
do
not feel
a l o n e.

I give the best parts of me to you.
Will you share
the best parts of you
with me,
too?

Susie

Another fun poem, Andy. The tree imagery…the rings, the paper thin bark where sap moves slowly….mmm-yummy. I enjoyed the white spaces and the word placements that deliver meaning as I say these words out loud. Thank you for sharing!

steve z

andy, very cool. i try to teach my kids that free verse is not without form, but with author determined form. love the impact of the single word verse and the letter spacing. very cool.

Christina Frierman

I love the form you used!

Michelle Hubbard

Andy, I love the stylistic elements like “breathing” and “stretched out”. The line “Many more names lie dormant tucked under my tongue” sticks out to me because it feels like even unspoken, pieces of your students and those you care about are always with you.

Kim Johnson

Go Away! I’m Introverting!

Not my mother’s narrow feet
or curly hair that defies all logic,
Not my father’s fixation on collecting books
or his way with words – but

The best thing about me
is my way without words.

My introverted stream of consciousness
allows me to perceive things that extroverts
cannot.
Sharing the world with
so many self-absorbed, incessant talkers
is a constant reminder that
peace, humility, and tranquility
are worth far more than
self-promoting proclamations..

My socks give the command:
“Go away! I’m introverting!”
Not to be rude, but I’ve got a lot of
enjoying time alone to do.

The best part of me
is that I’m happy being me,
and I don’t feel the need to
relentlessly convince anyone else
of this truth.

-Kim Johnson

Susie

Kim, I like the honesty of this. It made me giggle in spots: “Go away! I’m introverting!” Just putting that -ing ending on introvert is fun! “I’ve got a lot of enjoying time alone to do.” Aah, yes, I know that feeling! Shoo! I say that to my worry thoughts…shoo, go away, I have more important things on my plate. 🙂 Nice!

Kim

Thank you so much! I was worried my blatant honesty was going to get me in trouble on this one, so I’m glad you see a little forgiving humor in it ?

Tiffany Mumm

As a fellow introvert, I love your lines “Go Away! I’m introverting! Not to be rude, but I’ve got a lot of enjoying time alone to do.” I need that on a poster.

Christina Frierman

Sometimes we say more without words than with.

Glenda M. Funk

“Self-absorbed incessant talkers” is an apt description. I’m sure I get that label at times, even though I’m at heart an introvert who trained myself to talk through years of public speaking training. Also love the title and your unique approach to the prompt. And why not let your socks speak for you!

By Heather Martin

Humor

The best part of me is without a doubt my sense of humor.
This does not mean
My sense of humor is
Rich
Smart
Sharp
Well-developed
Maybe it means
The other parts of me are
Poor
Dull
Weak
Too big
Like they said.

My humor allows me to escape uncomfortable situations
Dodge sharp barbs from mean trolls
See the ridiculousness in a scene
I am able to bend over with laughter, tears filling my eyes
over a mistake,
missed step, or
dropped meatball.
This is so much better than feeling
sad,
angry, or
embarrassed.

I hear my mother’s laughter come out of me
when my kids make fun of my actions or words
There’s love in their mockery–
I hope.

Susie

Heather – That meatball was priceless… but of course, that makes us laugh!

steve z

can definitely relate – This is so much better than feeling sad, angry, or embarrassed. – people often accuse me of being funny, but i’m simply taking the path of least insistence.

Christina Frierman

There is love in their mockery. And remember, one day they will hear you come out of their own mouths one day-a parent’s revenge lol.

Tricia

So much fun! Humor is powerful- you show this.

Gail Saathoff

Overwhelmed by commitments,
The weight of responsibility presses down.
Endless lists of things to do.
Restlessness and impatience ruffle my feathers
Frustration simmers under the surface.
Exhaustion threatens.

But tomorrow will be fresh and new,
I will wear my smile
and try again.
I will create magic and fun.
Hope will begin to bubble up.
I will be renewed.

Because resilience is
the best part of me.

Kim Johnson

To all the hats we wear – you give the assurance of the daily tabula rasa that keeps us all hopeful that tomorrow can be better even if today crumbles! And we all need this!

Andy Schoenborn

Gail, I felt “fresh and new” when the tone shifted at the end of the first stanza. It is a clever device to lift the positive right out of the pressures that burden us. Words like your are magical! Thank you for sharing.

Susie

Gail — And what a gift resilience is! I like how you saved the word for the end.

Michelle Hubbard

I really liked the structure of the poem. At first, it seemed like you weren’t discussing anything about “the best” in yourself, but the end reveals how resilience is your best part. Very clever. Thank you for sharing!

Glenda M. Funk

Nice contrast between the first and second stanza.

Tracy Vogelgesang

I like the twist in your poem that leads to hope. I can feel the confidence that tomorrow will be a fresh new day!

Mo Daley

Legs
By Mo Daley

These long,
ultra-white, wobbly legs
are the best part of me

These legs aren’t much to look at,
but they are my freedom

They have taken me from a job
that nearly crushed my spirit
to another that
uplifts me daily

They have taken me from house to house
and helped me build memories
that will last this lifetime
and beyond

They have taken me around the world
and back again
searching for understanding
as to who I am
and who you are
and they’ve always brought me back home to you,
my love

Kim Johnson

Mo, your leg imagery at the beginning gets the reader envisioning movement throughout the poem. I love the feeling of upward mobility as you move from
Place to place!

Andy Schoenborn

Mo, the phrase “these legs aren’t much to look at, / but they are my freedom” got me thinking about those I love because the looks of things never mattered much to me. It is the heart of things that set us free. Thank you for sharing.

Glenda M. Funk

I like your focus on one body part of you and both it’s literal function and the symbolic journey legs take us on.

Christina Frierman

Can you feel it?
Bet you can’t seenit!

The best part of me
Lies hidden
Like a nest in a tree

The best part of me
Rises unbidden

Can you feel it?
Bet you can’t see it!

The best part of me
Seeks to be given free
To anyone in need

The best part of me
For you is guaranteed

Can you feel it?
Bet you can’t see it!

The best part of me
Is the love I have for thee

Gail Saathoff

The tone of your poem sounds kind of teasing at the beginning, and the rhyming conclusion was kind of a surprise. I really enjoyed reading your poem!

Andrea Smolin

Beautiful words and they are so very true. Love the poem -especially the last line.

Glenda M. Funk

We had a visitor in my Communication 1101 class Monday. He inspired this poem.

“Veiled Class Chameleon”

Richard stretches his green scales
Along the boy’s arm.
He strikes a frozen pose
Veiling his anxiety and trepidation.

Fearful eyes bulge toward the
Audience, enamored by this class visit.
All gaze, eager to learn this creature’s
Changeling secrets the boy’s words unmask.

Curious eyes–of reptile and youth–
Lock in recognition, a shared suspicion:
He of them. They of this required occasion.
Critter and kids long to camouflage vulnerability.

Seeing his reflection, Richard the
Chameleon arches his back and
Shifts his visage the way
Students mask and guard their skin against

Existential threats and
Laconian mirror images.

*Pics on my blog.

Christina Frierman

Love the imagery. And ok, I’m not a reptile lover, but your poem gives me a greater appreciation.

Gail Saathoff

I didn’t read your intro. and initially thought Richard was a tattoo. You used sensory imagery effectively throughout. I could really picture the bulging eyes and the arched back. You gave him personality too with his suspicion.

Glenda M. Funk

Meet Richard, my tattoo. That could be a funny poem! I asked the student if he calls Richard “Dick.” I can’t remenver what he said in the speech that made me think to ask. Others had the same question.

Mo Daley

Sarah, I love that you have created a secret kinship for those of us who day dream. We know who we are, but we don’t always share it with others. Your poem validates for me that not only is it ok to day dream, but it is valuable. Thank you!

Andy Schoenborn

Sarah, when you wrote “When you catch me staring off into space,/ ask me what I am thinking / I will gladly bring you into my dream / and the best part / of me” I felt welcomed into your world, because you have a sharing heart – one that longs to expand and share and give and love. Thank you for being you.