Our Host
Allison Berryhill teaches English and journalism in Atlantic, Iowa. She is a publications-coordinator for the Iowa Council of Teachers of English. Her sonnets have been awarded first place in the Iowa Poetry Association’s Lyrical Iowa competition in 2019 and 2020. Her 2020 sonnet was nominated for a Pushcart Prize. Follow her on Twitter @allisonberryhil for photos of #IowaSky and schoolblazing.blogspot.com for essays, where she has been chronicling over 300 days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Invitation from Allison Berryhill
Welcome to Day #4 of writing with the April #VerseLove poetry community! It is my hope that you are digging in for the long haul and will write a poem each day.
But life is real.
If you fall off the horse, climb back on the next day.
Does it sound as if I’m dispensing unsolicited advice? Ah-ha! That is the nature of today’s prompt!
Today’s poem invites you to share your wise words with whoever needs to hear them!
Inspiration
Gwendolyn Brooks’ fun and pointed 13-line poem “Speech to the Young. Speech to the Progress-Toward” can be examined in three parts:
First, she identifies those needing her advice:
“Say to them,
say to the down-keepers,
the sun-slappers,
the self-soilers,
the harmony-hushers…”
Notice the buoyant word inventions she gives to gloomy people:
Sun-slappers!
Harmony-hushers!
Next she delivers the nut of her advice within quotation marks:
“Even if you are not ready for day
it cannot always be night.”
Her poem closes with encouragement to those who are ready to consider her advice:
You will be right.
For that is the hard home-run.
Live not for battles won.
Live not for the-end-of-the-song.
Live in the along.
Her final line “live in the along” is a restatement of the advice delivered in the quotation marks earlier, but with an edge.
I invite you to mimic GB’s form as closely or as loosely as feels right to you today. Or write the OTHER poem that needs to be written today 🙂
Process
I like to use a two-column table when writing poetry based off a model poem. This helps me return to the original and note rhythms, hyphens (!), line breaks, and sounds that inform my own poem craft.
Here is what my poem looks like juxtaposed with GB’s.
| Speech to the Young; Speech to the Progress-Toward By Gwendolyn Brooks Say to them, say to the down-keepers, the sun-slappers, the self-soilers, the harmony-hushers, “Even if you are not ready for day it cannot always be night.” You will be right. For that is the hard home-run. Live not for battles won. Live not for the-end-of-the-song. Live in the along. | Speech to My Husband; Speech to the Fret-Drawn By Allison Berryhill Say to him, say to the knot-twister, the weather-worrier, the scorpion-minder, the half-empty-glasser, “To worry is to tear at, to gnaw on, to drag about with one’s teeth.” Your bite cannot masticate the unknown into submission. Unclench your jaw. Loosen your smile. Release the bone. |
Say to them,
The stress-filled
the worried minds
the overwhelmed hearts
“Everything will be okay. It will work out. But, it will take time”.
Tell them to live life
one day at a time.
Tell them to not get ahead of their time
and to spend time in the moment.
Life will carry on,
with or without you
Don’t yourself miss it
Speech to those with identity and anxiety issues:
by Brittany Rubin
Say to them,
Say to the anxiety-filled
the lost souls
the overthinkers
the people pleasers
“Sometimes it’s better to rock the boat than to live your life pleasing others.
That will never calm the sea in your mind.”
It’s better to heal yourself
Then to please someone else
Do what’s best for you
Things will be alright
Hold tight
This really resonated to me because I am one with anxiety issues. It as beautiful and helpful to read. You really spoke to me, not only my mind, but my heart as well.
Great job, Brittany!
Speech to the Adults; Speech to the Anxious-Captivated
By Sarah Leger
Say to them,
Say to the identity-seekers,
the numb-hoggers,
the unreceptive-givers,
the present moment-distractors,
“They stumble blindly thirsting for a drop of safety and acceptance, but it cannot be found in being the parent or sibling.”
The thirst can only be quenched in redeeming your lost childhood and visiting it often.
Allow yourself to learn how to receive.
Allow yourself to be nursed.
Allow yourself to be a child again.
I can relate to the part, “the numb hogger” because I am an anxious person who places my identity in people and this is such a powerful phrase for the feeling I have most days.
The repition of “allow” really stand out to me in your poem! This spoke to me because as I navigate my own life, I find myself trying to find the perfect form of “adulting.” But in doing that, I also have to give myself room to have growing pains and make mistakes and be taken care of, rather than trying to do everything perfectly at once. Thank you for sharing!
Allison!
The phrase ” To worry is to tear at, to gnaw on, to drag about with one’s teeth” got me thinking about anxiety because of the way you worded these so smoothly. I really enjoyed your poem and it was quite informational when it came to thinking about those who tend to worry.
Speech to the Chronically Ill; Speech to the Health-Slave
By Bailey Davenport
Say to them
say to the assistance-needers,
the experience-missers,
the pain-familiars,
the weary-feelers,
“Trust the One who created your body-knows it and you deeper than any doctor-to redeem each day you’ve lost.”
You will be right.
All the sad things will come untrue.
Live not for the good days.
Live not for the “one day”s.
Live in the One.
I needed this poem! Beautifully written, and so hopeful. Thank you!
Bailey,
I LOVED every bit of this poem! It really resonated with me today and it was something that I needed to hear. Great job. It was beautiful!
Allison, thank you for the invite! This was really accessible, and even though I only had to fill in the blanks, it was challenging to make it mine. It would be a really nice prompt for my students. I can’t wait to see what your students do with this tomorrow for their poetry prompt!
Speech to the Safeway cashiers; Speech to the Small Talk Champs
By Rachelle Lipp
Say to them,
say the speed-scanners,
the coupon-checkers,
the hardly-humorous heroes,
the astrophysics-degree-seeking striders
the “Sorry, I had to check my phone quick, my grandma in California is really sick”
“Your conversation made my Easter better.
I don’t know your grandma,
but I will not forget
her.”
You will be humane.
For this man is in so much pain.
Live not to promote self-doubt
Live not to just checkout.
Live in the connection–
that’s what life is about.
Yes, this line truly resonated with me. Great poem.
Rachelle,
Like DeAnna, I was stopped in my tracks with your last two lines. They express what I hope most dear–seeing people instead of just walking past. I love your focus on the seemingly inconsequential to make the larger point. Beautiful.
speech to my house cat
Say to him
say to the nap taker,
the loud purrer,
the plushest cat,
the soft loaf of fur.
“I love when you rest on my chest
even when I need to get up.”
You will hold me.
What’s another few minutes?
Sleep on the couch, all day when we are away.
Sleep on our bed, whether we’re home or at rest.
Sleep on the chair to watch the goings on of your house.
I miss having a cat!! Such a sweet poem 🙂
Jamie, There is so much truth in this! Our “soft [loaves] of fur” are the ones who really own the house (and, in fact, all they survey!).
“The soft loaf of fur” made me chuckle! Thank you for the poem today. What a lovely reflection this evening.
Late to the party, but..
Speech to myself: Speech to the perfectionist mom
Say to myself,
say to the overthinker,
to the confidence-lacker,
to the calendar-keeper,
to the efficiency-obsesser,
“Slow down, mami,
enjoy the moments.”
He’s only a toddler for awhile.
For therein lies the magic.
Live not for the color coded calendar.
Live not for the model home expectations.
Live in the now. The mess. The chaos.
Britt,
You’re fashionably late! ? Your poem is full of good advice. Kids don’t mind the mess or the chaos.
Wow, Britt. I can visualize this poem. and feel it The coded calendar. The model home expectations. The mess. The chaos. I need this reminder as well — to slow down and enjoy the now. Thank you for this 🙂 I loved this line “For therein lies the magic.”
Good advice. Love it. Especially the last stanza. Find the beauty in the here and now chaos. Let tomorrow take care of itself!
Britt, I absolutely love your poem. I have been thinking about it since I read it a couple days ago. As I began contemplating for today’s poem, I wanted to mirror your poetry, specifically the last line, which I thought was absolutely breath-taking: “Live in the now. The mess. The chaos.” Thank you for this poem. It is a sweet reminder for me, and one that comes as I have been wrestling with the business-the hurriness-of life.
Allison — This was a dandy prompt. I LOVED your poem, Allison…it was just such a dandy….the whole jawbone, teeth, masticating, clenching..that all drives us right to the “Release the bone” clincher at the end. Such a great trajectory for the poem. While it made me smile, it also spoke some serious truth. Terrific descriptions. As I was reading lots of poem tonight — I just got home from finally being with friends (all of us now vaxxed and relieved to be WITH loved ones), and it is clear that this prompt really got everyone rolling…such thoughtful poems up and down the scroll. If I weren’t ready to keel over (OMG I’m exhausted), I would respond to a few more…gotta sleep. Hugs to you and thank you! Susie
Live in the along,
Come on and sing your song.
I’ll join in harmony
And play my bass with a bong.
Ready, get set. One,, two, three.
Don’t worry when people say
This is not the way
Live in the along
They may join the fun
They may turn and run.
That’s all right. You keep singing your song.
Anna — I love the hope and upbeat of this poem. And the use of the “live in the along”… sweet. Such a perfect encouraging piece for today! Thank you! Susie
Anna, I love the line “Don’t worry when people say/ This is not the way”. I almost used the same line as you did at the end…..I think I had “embrace your song” or something like that. You’ve captured an uplifting and positive tone that is enhanced through the wonderful rhythm and rhyme you’ve created through your word choice. Anna, I also want to say thank you for the heart-felt response to the poem I wrote on Friday. I’m angry that we have lost so many men in my community by suicide and some that may not be suicide but accidental or worse. This is how I feel about my son’s death. So often I can just imagine him being next to me. It is still surreal that he isn’t coming home anymore. More importantly, I want to say I am sorry that you have lost a son, too. The loss nor the tears ever end. Hugs to you and my deepest sympathy. Barb
Thank you, Barb, for the commendation and the commisseration. Glad we have this place for both!
Have a lovely week!
You, too, Anna.
Anna, I love how you “jumped off” Gwendolyn Brooks’ poem with her wonderful closing line: Live in the along! Your rhyming bounce accentuates your message: sing! Join the fun! 🙂
This weekend has been consumed with senior and college conversations, so this is where my pencil went. However, I love this mentor text and want to come back to it again when my head is in a different space. Thank you for the inspiration.
Say to them,
say to the 2021 seniors,
the hybrid and remote learners,
the college-bound,
our future leaders.
“You HAVE and WILL continue
to do HARD things.”
Forge the way
with kinds hearts and vision.
Find your passion.
Leave your mark on the world.
Lead us into the light.
Yes! You’re showing them the way by your positivity, during so much negativity.
Heather — These are just the right words for these seniors. And coming from a devoted teacher…that’s gospel! Love it! Thank you. Susie
Heather, I hope you will be sharing this poem with the class of 21. I love the closing line” Lead us into the light.” Perfect end to a wonderful message! Yes, I believe they will be able to do “HARD things”!
I love how you used the prompt to say what is in your head and heart right now. Your closing line is beautiful: Lead us into the light!
So much hope for the future. I love this! “You can do hard things” <3
Speech to Those Who Think Teaching is About Them
(I write this poem, not from a place of judgement, but from a place of having needed these (similar) words spoken to me early in my career.)
Say to them,
say to the get-in-and-get-out-ers
the I’m-not-doing-more-than-I-have-to-ers
the microwave-producers
the surface-dwellers
“Teaching is a work of HEART.”
There is correlation between your input
and their output.
Embrace the process.
Plan for their success.
Do what’s best for Scholars.
Donnetta, Yes, we need committed teachers! It is all about the heart, and I could not agree more with your poem! Please be gone, “surface-dwellers!” Loved it!
These are important words for teachers. Your last line is where all hearts and heads should be focused.
Amen, Donetta — You speak serious truth here… I’m so WITH you on this it is every bit “work of HEART” — you bet! Love it! Thank you for a message that is so from the gut and loud and clear and spot-on! Susie
Donnetta, I LOVE “There is correlation between your input and their output.” So true. I also like the “plan for their success” line because of its layers of meaning: good teaching takes planning, lots of it, thinking through the what-ifs and how can I reach more students in stronger ways. THANK. you also for ” I’m-not-doing-more-than-I-have-to-ers” :-)!
I felt so much passion reading this poem!! Teaching IS a work of heart indeed, friend.
Speech to the Forlorn; Speech to the Awe-Invited
By Maureen Young Ingram
Say to them, say to the empty-hearted,
the wonder-dismissers,
the hope-belittlers,
the joy deniers,
“spend five minutes laying on the grass and watching the clouds,
you will know there is so much more than you.”
You should dare to be still,
feel the embrace of slowing down.
Notice a newborn’s fingernails,
see a butterfly emerge from its chrysalis,
watch creek water rushing over rocks after a rain.
You can only marvel.
Maureen,
I feel as though our poems are kindred spirits today as we long for the wonders of nature: the clouds, the babbling spring, the cool grass. Let’s kick “ the wonder-dismissers,
the hope-belittlers,
the joy deniers,” to the curb so nature is ours uninterrupted. ?
Maureen, there so much to your poem that I love from “the wonder-dismissers” to “the joy deniers” to the wonderful imagery of watching the clouds and “a newborn’s fingernails”. Yes, they are magical. Love the sound of creek water running after a rain. Gorgeous!
Maureen,
I so needed to hear this today, so thank you for taking up Allison’s call to craft a poem of advice. I love how your tone feels more like offering permission or a nudge rather than orders. The imagery does this work with the “newborn’s fingernails” and “creek water rushing.” The call to marvel is perfect.
Sarah
Maureen, thank you for this poem. I feel my eyes tearing up because I must do more of this, and today, I did. I reserved tickets for my family to wander around our local botanical gardens. It was wonderful. We marveled at the colors, the plants, the silence. We all needed and appreciated the serenity we found in nature today.
Maureen — This is beautiful. You’ve captured images that force us to slow down…the that creek rush over the rocks…YES! Love the feeling here. Thank you. Susie
Maureen, I love your title and the opening lines. I’m all in! You inspire me to higher awe-awareness! The newborn’s fingernails and the creek water–ah. Lovely.
Say to me…
Say to me
the worried IA
trying to pretend everything is okay
answering students questions
even when the only answer I have is, “I don’t know”
“This won’t last forever and
remember the students appreciate your honesty”
You’ve got this, it will get better
those students you have connected with over Zoom
are excited to see you in person
along with the colleagues you miss
Remember to smile even behind your mask
As the smile will show in your eyes
DeAnna – I love the way you turned this into positive self-talk. Such a wonderful take on Brooks’s poem. We all need these kinds of speeches, especially now. Because it’s in first person, I felt like I could really connect to and take up the advice you’re giving yourself. Thanks for inviting and helping me to do that.
We all may need to repeat this to ourselves a number of times over the next few weeks:
“Remember to smile even behind your mask
As the smile will show in your eyes”
And yes, I believe “it will get better.”
A very timely poem. Thank you for sharing.
I love that you shared great advice with – drumroll – yourself! Fantastic. Such a great way to make the best of a very challenging time. Don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know.” I wish more of us were saying this!! Making it clear to everyone that we are finding our way together. YES: “You’ve got this, it will get better”
DeAnna, I love how you took this prompt as an opportunity to give yourself words of needed advice. “Ths smile will show in your eyes” gave me all the feels! Beautiful.
DeAnna, another great poem today. Because I know you, I feel like I can interpret the last line in the first stanza in a couple ways: 1) “I don’t know” is the only answer you’re getting about your questions to admin at this time and 2) that we need to remember to tell students when we don’t know things.
Thank you for the invitation to reflect on this. I can’t wait to see your eyes smile soon!
Say to them
Say to the mind cultivators
the soul nourishers
the inspirational gurus
the idea facilitators
the weary stewards of children not of your flesh
“Be kind to yourself”
You have touched lives,
opened doors of knowledge, guided students
forged connections across chasms
Enjoy a leisurely stroll
Sip a cool drink
Just Breathe
Such truth in these words: “forged connections across chasms.” Teachers have gone above and beyond, finding the best ways through very challenging times. Your poem marries well with DeAnna C, above – wisdom for all you amazing teachers beginning another hard week. Best wishes!
Tammi,
I appreciate this reminder to “breathe” and to “be kind to yourself.” While there is so much that satisfies about teaching, there is even more doubt and “not-enoughs.” We must shake that narrative together, and you poem is a call to action (for me).
Sarah
Tammi, what good advice. So often givers forget to share the joy of giving by setting back with self-care, but also by letting other do nice things for us sometimes.
Thanks for the poetic reminder.
Tammi, “mind cultivators” and “stewards of children not of your flesh” really speak to the truth of teaching. Your message is appreciated by this tired teacher, and I’m sure by others. I hope you take your own advice as well :-). Hugs.
Speech to the Rural; Speech to the Culture-Keepers
Say to them,
Say to the earth-feelers,
the music-makers,
the life-growers
the fire-speakers
“Even though your culture is not perfect
it is worth sustaining.”
You can both prune
and preserve.
Plant good seeds
Hoe your rows
Harvest good crop.
This is a stunning take on Brooks’ poem. I love the ‘turn’ of prune and preserve’ in that line. Well done.
Chea,
I love the rhythm in these lines: “Say to the earth-feelers/the music makers/the life-growers/the fire-speakers” and the message “you can both prune/and preserve”
Great poem…appropriate with Earth Day just around the corner.
Love that these two lines are nestled together “the life growers, the fire speakers” – so powerful. And, yes, wow, this is powerful, too: You can both prune and preserve. This is so true. I immediately thought of gardens, and how important it is to prune in order to preserve.
Chea, This is lovely. Your message is deep and nuanced. I keep returning to the line “You can both prune and preserve.” Your final stanza with the three-word directives, building on your farming metaphor, is wonderful!
Alison,
Thank you for this prompt and this poem was easy to write today.
Speech to My Child
Say to self,
say to the hypervigilance,
the doubt-filled moment,
the self-censor,
the anxious mind,
”This will pass and you will shine radiantly as you did when you were ten.”
You will return.
And you will be rewarded in your own self.
See your worth through our eyes.
Feel the music of love for you.
Live in that song.
Oh. I love this. I need my child to know this too. We can’t give this to them…but just plant seeds and hope. Wonderful advice in the poetic form.
Melanie – Those last two lines are ::chef’s kiss::. They’re definitely going to stick with me.
Melanie — What a beautiful message to your child. I found these lines especially poignant: “See your worth through your eyes/Feel the music of love for you/live in that song.”
Oh my, I love the line “See your worth through our eyes.” How often I have felt this with my sons, when they have been down (one suffers from depression/anxiety) – yes, see your worth through our eyes. Live in that song. Beautiful! This poem would be such a beautiful gift to your child, I hope you have already shared it!
Melanie, I feel like your poem could have come from my heart as well. Thank you for putting these parent hopes into this lovely form. “See your worth through our eyes” is something I say (not as eloquently) to my children time and again. “Live in that song” is a beautiful ending.
Allison, thank you so much for your poem and prompt today, and for giving of your time on this special holiday. I love the final three lines of your poem! “Unclench your jaw…” such a striking image and incredible physical appeal. Happy Easter! Barb
Thank you, Barb! I have had such a fun and filling experience reading the poems that sprung from the prompt. It’s interesting (and inspiring!) to see how many different takes came from Brooks’ model. Happy Easter to you as well, friend!
Speech to the Different; Speech to be Unsprung
Say to them
say to the frumpy-frowners
the vile-liars
the pretty-prevaricators
the deceptive-deceivers
“Even if you are not
ready to be naked.”
Life cannot always be
clothed.
Live your life
Live your truth
Live self-satisfied
Barb Edler
4 April 2021
Barb,
The line “Life cannot always be clothed” is fabulous. I love the live and let live invitation in your poem.
Barb — I love, love, love the message of your poem. It feels like an anthem for those who feel different. Your lines: “Even if you are not/ready to be naked./Life cannot always be/clothed” is so powerful!
Oh, Barb, how I love this! These words,
“Even if you are not
ready to be naked.”
Life cannot always be
clothed.
Isn’t this the truth?! Life has a way of exposing us to the core, when we least expect it. Live your truth.
Hey, Barb — you have some important stuff here. Indeed, “life cannot always be/clothes.” So so so real and true. Strong voice here, my friend! Love that! Thank you. Susie
Oh Barb, First I want to note the wordsmithing of your opening lines: vile-liars assonance, frumpy-frowner alliteration, and the “deceptive-deceivers” mirroring.
I also like how your message (Even if you are not ready to be naked, life cannot always be clothed) is then followed by the uplifting possibilities that unfold if this advice is followed! Live your life! Live your truth! Live self-satisfied!
Allison,
I love the Gwendolyn Brooks poem and as a worrier and clenched-jaw tooth grinder, I love your advice to your husband. I think I was born rolled up in a ball and have never really been able to make my muscles relax. I played around w/ the prompt and wrote several drafts, but after seeing a bird atop a tree and having two days of 70+ temperatures and a snow forecast for Tuesday, I’m offering this request of spring.
Say to the Fickle Season
Say to the visiting season
Say to the time-temporal
the choir-winged
the green-bladed shaft
the foaled-warbler
the poet-nature:
“When mercury begs depart &
petioles molt fiery-flamed leaves;
When sun circles round,
Remain throughout the year.”
Linger for a while
Linger & shade snowed-sorrow.
Linger on our earth. Welcome here
Rebirth.
—Glenda Funk
Glenda, I am absolutely in awe of the natural beauty you share in this poem. I love the way you use the word “linger” at the end. I feel that very need…to be able to linger during this calm spring day, and I feel the desire for “rebirth”. I especially enjoyed the lines:
Rich, wonderful imagery with a perfect message. You nailed it, Glenda! Thanks for your uplifting poem!
Isn’t it funny how you can “work” on drafts…and then the poem just comes up and taps you on the shoulder? This is wonderful and, ending on the word “rebirth” is a perfect Easter word.
Glenda — you have so captured how I feel about these quasi spring days that fluctuate between winter and spring. I just want the spring to stay. I Love these lines: “linger for a while/linger & shade snowed-sorrow/Linger on our earth/Welcome here Rebirth” because of the layers of meaning here: Rebirth of nature and rebirth of a better world. Spring always seems to inspire hope.
Glenda, you capture my favorite time of year. That use of linger. – so beckoning, soft, welcome. I love all of your hyphenated words: snowed-sorrow, foaled-warbler, poet-nature. You gathered all the goodness and let us dwell with it.
Glenda, what a gorgeous poem for this Easter day, this “Welcome here/Rebirth.” I adore the concept of “poet-nature.” What a shock to have two days in the 70s followed by snow – no, no, please, spring “Yes, Linger for a while.” I also love how extraordinary your vocabulary is and that I had to get my dictionary out for petioles – that is an awesome word.
Glenda,
I love the invitation to “linger” especially the patience the speaker asks of the listener. This, to me, is a lingering through, a patience in process, welcoming of renewal. That last line could be related to Easter, but I am reading it as a rebirth of whatever needs to be reborn in our lives. Love it. Thank you.
Glenda — I love that you are challenging the seasons and the “mercury”… this is beautiful language. I love the repeat of “linger”… I’m glad you saw that bird in the tree and went in this direction to chat with nature. Quite lovely on this spring day. Thank you! Susie
Glenda, this is a poet’s word treat!
“the choir-winged
the green-bladed shaft
the foaled-warbler”
Beautiful word combinations and startling imagery. THANK YOU>
Thank you for this prompt, I love using mirror poems in my classroom–it is a wonderful bridge for reluctant and eager poetry writers alike.
Speech to the Cynics; Speech to the Dreamers
Say to them,
say to the doubters,
the naysayers,
the profoundly convinced,
the misplaced defiants,
“Despite what you say and believe
this is not a wasted year.”
You will be proven wrong.
For the young will rise in determination.
Learn to find the lessons in the now.
Live in the moments of difficulty.
Listen to the whispers of history.
After Gwendolyn Brooks
Cara,
I love the theme of your poem. I also believe this is NOT a wasted year. ???
Yes! “Listen to the whispers of history.” — Great line and I totally agree “the young will rise in determination”
This poem is so perfect for all those who speak negatively about this school year. Thank you for saying it so well.
Absolutely! “For the young will rise in determination.” What a true and powerful line! I believe we have learned so much during this time, and it is by no means a wasted year.
This year is definitely not a wasted year. I could cry with the conviction in that statement. Thank you for this pep talk before we return to the building tomorrow. I appreciate you and this nudge: “Live in the moments of difficulty.” This is my motto this week!
I love this Brooks poem and your work with it. I use this double entry strategy with my kiddos with other GB poems. Her words are so simple, yet profound they are always worth seeking our own through hers. Thank you for the poem and the prompt!
Speech to my daughter: speech to the stepping out of the nester
Say to her,
say to the wild what-ifer.
the scary scenario-sequencer,
the anxious anti-possibilitier,
the I don’t-want-to-burden-you believer,
“You have people who love you,
you are not alone”
Hold tight to your dreams.
Hold on to my hand,
let go, knowing I’m here.
Oh my did this hit home for me. My 18-year-old son is on the cusp of moving out (sometime this summer for his sophomore year of college) and I am struggling to maintain poise and calm in the face of it. I know it is inevitable, necessary, and good, but I love that man/child desperately and secretly want as much time with him as I can get. Thank you for peeking into my brain and making a poem out of it. I love it.
Julianne — an almost empty nester here. I can relate. My son just graduated from college and has found a job a state away. My middle daughter is moving out next week after doing college at home online for a year. We will only have one left at home.
Your last stanza really hits home: Hold tight to your dreams/Hold on to my hand/ let go, knowing I’m here.”
Thanks for the great mentor poems and strategy, Allison!
Advice to Pandemic Parents
by Mo Daley 4-4-21
Say to them,
say to the shower-
offers,
the displayers of too many trophies,
the trackers of AP GPAs,
the helicopter
parents,
“Your children are not
behind.
They are learning
resilience.”
This is one essay
that must be written without help.
Retract those tiger mom
claws
and let your babies
grow,
thrive,
and bounce back.
They are strong.
Mo, amen to this poem! Please, won’t they just stop with all the madness! Thank you for this poem and your advice!
?
I deliberately didn’t look at the submitted poems before I wrote mine–we have companion pieces in a way. I wrote about those who are dismissing this year as a waste, a “lost year.” Easily, one of the biggest issues this year is what you wrote about–the inability of parents to let their children learn their own lessons in their own way. We grow by making mistakes, not by having a bubble permanently protecting us. I would love to scream it into the void, but no one would turn their camera on to hear me. Thank you for sharing.
Yes, yes, yes to this poem. Thank you for sharing your advice here.
You’ve nailed it, Mo! This has been a tough year but our students will “grow/thrive/and bounce back” just as write. This year will make us all stronger!
Mo!! This is fantastic! You certainly capture the essence of the some of the parents we deal with!
LOVE this! Everyone needs to hear these words. Our kids can do hard things!
Allison, this one stumped me because I wasn’t sure who could use any advice from me. However, I tried your technique of the 2-column table, and it moved me along in a way that I’m not sure I would have accomplished had I not used it. Thank you for the trick that I will surely use with my students! I appreciated your example, and I especially enjoyed your names for the worriers – so evocative of what us worriers do, followed by loving advice.
Speech to the Young Scientists; Speech to the Math-Averse
Say to them,
Say to the equation-erasers,
The solution-squinters,
The head-clutchers,
The pencil-chewers,
“This problem does not take away
The magic of a hermit crab
Marching against the beat of the tide
As you squat barefoot to watch her
Your mouth open in awe of her steadfast journey.
Study not for getting it right.
Study not for knowing the answer.
Study the wonder.”
after Gwendolyn Brooks
Emily Cohn, 2021
Emily. I ? the advice to “study the wonder”–so wise in illuminating the culture that pushes a purpose of “right” and uplifting the “magic of a hermit crab/marching. I also appreciate the alliteration and assonance in these lines. Music.
A wonderful poem for students! It is so frustrating when learning is a thing that we can do quite naturally, given the time and the right environment. I hope you share this with your students.
Emily, I adore the message of your poem. Yes, study the wonder! Isn’t that what we all strive for? The image of watching the hermit crab is stunning! Beautiful!
Emily,
Your poem also echoes Walt Whitman’s “When I heard the Learn’d Astronomer” in its vision of magic in math. We do need this perspective for kids and adults. Favorite lines:
Emily — love these lines:
“This problem does not take away
The magic of a hermit crab
Marching against the beat of the tide
As you squat barefoot to watch her
Your mouth open in awe of her steadfast journey.”
so much truth to this!
Emily — this advice is sage and at the very core of learning: wonder! AMEN! The repetition in the last stanza really hits beautifully the target. I loved the student descriptors …I could see them squint, clutch, chew, and squat to see the hermit crab… lovely! You have a teacher’s eye and definitely a teacher’s heart and passion. I just LOVE that. Makes me feel good all over. Hugs, Susie
Allison,
Thanks for the tip to draft my poem alongside Ms. Brooks’s poem. It was fun mimicking some of the wordplay of her poem. I was inspired by a charming childhood story told this morning after silent worship (Friends meeting) of fishing in a Maine harbor for pollock and flounder in a leaky rowboat. And a tip of the hat to Emily D.
Speech to the Land-Bound
Say to the land-lubbers,
the seasick sailors,
the ocean-averse,
the lake-leery,
“Time to be at ease
with being a-sea.
A bailing bucket
can keep afloat
the leakiest rowboat.”
Aquaman got a bum rap.
And was not Aphrodite
born of sea foam?
Try this: Abandon
the compass and charts.
Let yourself be
unmoored and adrift.
For we are all
seaworthy.
after Gwendolyn Brooks
David, I love your take on the prompt. There’s a thread of release, letting go, in many of today’s pieces. I want to embrace the abandonment of compasses and charts, to be unmoored and adrift. It evokes serenity.
I love the belief that we are all sea-worthy! We all must abandon the charts to find our way.
David, what a beautiful idea…”be unmoored and adrift.” I especially love the modern and classic allusions here, and I admire your artfully crafted rhythm and rhyme.
This is a lovely way of expressing worthiness for all. So many just need one person to proclaim belief in them. You express it wonderfully.
Allison, thank you for the prompt today and for your mentor poem! Your last stanza of advice to/for your husband is great for all of us to hear (and observe). We all, at times, need to “unclench” and “loosen” up! I think I wrote “the OTHER” poem today because I’m always leery of doling out advice, and that’s kinda where this poem came from…
_____________________________
Where is this wisdom
when you age? I’m still
waiting for this to happen.
Is it some kind of trade off?
Let me explain.
There’s a small section
of my back, right between
the shoulder blades,
that I’m pretty sure I can
no longer wash
in the shower.
Experience is teaching
me that my range of
mobility is decreasing
with age.
Great. Thanks.
Shouldn’t I be gaining
some insight here, some
profound understanding,
some glimpse into the
Great Mystery?
I remember as a baby,
ok, I really don’t, but
isn’t it true that a baby
can place his whole foot
in his mouth?
That’s kinda gross (and
I may be making that up).
Anyway, in my youth,
I could hacky sack for
hours at a time or sit
criss cross applesauce
and think nothing of it,
and now, I need to take
water pills and wear
compression stockings
if I plan to sit for too long.
And what wisdom have I
garnered, what new insights
have I gleaned that I can
pass along?
Ctrl + Alt + M = Comment
(I’ve graded so many essays
in Google Docs, and I just
finally figured that out last
week.)
So, hey, for those younger
than me, for those who
don’t (yet) have to wear
“special” socks and can
reach all parts of their body,
here’s my advice: don’t get older
if you can avoid it.
If you can’t, google keyboard
shortcuts and be amazed.
Seriously, do it. I’ve used
Ctrl + Shift + T to reopen
a tab I accidentally closed
and thought I lost forever,
like, four times in the last
hour. It’s a godsend.
You’re welcome.
Scott – LOL – yes! It seems there’s some wisdom, perhaps aided by the sages Bill and Ted and Socrates: “the only true wisdom exists in knowing that you know nothing.” I hear you – I think there’s wisdom in appreciating our younger selves, and that is wisdom in itself. I’m seriously going to use those short-cuts, those are awesome! I, too, am feeling like I don’t have so much sage advice to offer, but I believe you offered some nonetheless. Thanks for the tips, the laughs, and the imagery in this poem!
Hi Scott. I always love the conversational feel of your poems. I love the raw truth you share here. I’ve been wondering if I’ll get wiser if I stop coloring my hair, but I decided to stay dim-witted and red headed a while longer. Also, thanks for the shortcuts. You are no longer the last to know!
Scott, I can definitely relate to your poem. Getting old is not for “p…ssies”! Love the humor throughout your poem, and I did learn how to create a comment box in Google Docs. Thank you!
Scott — Another priceless poem. You really do grab our attention, throw down some serious truths (body parts we can’t reach anymore…LOL…too dang true) and ask some really funny but important questions. All these realizations surely teach us some big stuff, but really some of it is just the relief of finding a useful shortcut. Golly…when they dissect your brain someday, it’s going to be an amazing display of noodles…. you are such a whiz-bang and putting words into play around so many real ideas, fun explorations with a voice that has bold honesty. Terrific! Thank you…this was a fine poem to come home to tonight. Susie
Speech To My Daughter
Say to her
Say to the COVID long-hauler
Say to the sleepless, the agitated, the exhausted
“You will be well
Your energy will vibrate
This can’t last forever”
“It will go away in time and your energy regained”
Relax into wait
Relax into the time
Relax while you wait for tomorrow
Sound advice that none of thought we’d still be giving now… but here we are. Love it!
Susan, your short, sparse lines make me feel the tension and anxiety you must feel as a mother who watches her daughter suffer. Your advice is simple and straightforward, but sometimes that’s just what we need to hear. I hope she can relax into wait, a beautiful sentiment. I hope she feels better soon!
Wise words for us all. Hoping many heed this advice: “You will be well
Your energy will vibrate
This can’t last forever”
I feel her anxiety and your comforting words of wisdom. Hoping and praying she feels able to rest and relax soon. I love:
Susan,
I’m so sorry your daughter has been experiencing long-term struggles from Covid-19. I do hope your prediction in this tender poem becomes reality soon.
Say to them,
say to those mini-me’s,
the rule-breakers
the laugh in the moment
dandelion seed blowers,
say to those lights
that bring forth life,
“To live each moment,
take each breathe,
with a smile that you won’t regret.”
This time is meant to be joyful,
with fluttering wings of pink and peach,
or black and gray, or yellow and green,
soaring with each remarkable treasure,
their minds are pure and free
not cluttered by the unbearable vines,
they explore and they find the essence of
Truly Being.
Linda, what a beauty! I want this for all mini-me’s in the world today!
I want this for ME too!
The end says it all. Truly Being.
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I love the colors, and the innocence here: “dandelion seed blowers,
say to those lights
that bring forth life,”
Reminds me of watching the pre-schoolers play. So beautiful!
I see the young and unblemished in this. And I hope to capture a bit of this “truly being” from time to time.
This is lovely. So many delicate images of youth – “mini-me’s” – “dandelion seed blowers” – “not cluttered by the unbearable vines” I love your end of “Truly Being.” Is Being a noun or a verb?
Thank you for sharing Gwedolyn Brooks with us today. She is always a guidepost for us. Thank you for your thoughtful prompt.
Say to them,
Say to the hard-workers,
The team-workers,
The question-answerers,
The question-askers,
“Even if you are not ready for success
It cannot always be withheld.”
You will be rewarded.
For that is the praise well-deserved.
Live not for simple solutions.
Live not for the-doing-the-bare-minimum
Live in the toiling.
That last line, Katrina! I hear your message of process and collaboration. It is not really about the outcome but in the work.
Katrina, I enjoyed how you used Brooks’ original form and made it your own! I relate to that advice of not living for “doing the bare minimum” – it’s what we hope for our students!
I have sweat on my brow, Katrina, while I relate to these hard-workers. This poem is encouraging to all of us working towards our dreams of success. Thanks.
Inspirational words contribute to an uplifting tone! Beautiful job. 🙂
Katrina,
As I was reading your piece, I was thinking that it loosely echoes, both in style and content, the Beatitudes. I love the quote at the heart of the poem. If it is not already posted in your classroom, or by your writing desk, or on your mirror, you should do so.
//david
Yes, yes, yes!! So much to love!
This validates my work this morning and erases my guilt! LOL. Thank you!
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That last line, Katrina! I hear your message of process and collaboration. It is not really about the outcome but in the work. Coming from a long line of martyrs, I am holding on to purpose and deciding for myself what is “enough.” Lots of layers in your poem for me. Thank you.
I love your praise of those who show up. Those who do – hard-workers, question-answerers, question-askers. Live in the toiling. The importance of starting somewhere.
Say…
to Narcissus in love with his own image,
to the Poloniuses enamored with their own voices,
to those who forget the hand that passed down that first dollar,
to those with the assured leg-up, the skin color of privilege and power,
to those who look into the crucible of age-halting elixirs and creams
and find a hollow stare and the raised eyebrow of truth,
remember the mothers and girls who carry water
six kilometers on their heads in Sub-Saharan heat
to ensure the survival of the family,
remember the discipline of a mind
that pushes the body to step
one foot in front of the other
while balancing safety, family, hunger, understanding,
remember the work, the discipline
of caring
enough.
by Susie Morice, April 4, 2021©
Susie, this is the poem for all humankind! You help us see the magnitude of women’s power in:
Then you give us the simple reminder that really gives all of us hope:
Another incredible piece!
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Yes, yes, and yes. I have posters on my walls of hopes for my students, and one of them is to “widen your circle of concern,” and so that’s part of the message I get from this. I also enjoyed the physical layout of this poem because it appears to me to get narrower toward the bottom to mimic that weight of water on heads as well as the weight of safety, family, hunger and understanding. The allusions in the first stanza and then “those with the assured leg up” – it’s just beautiful language. Dang, this is just lovely. Thank you!
Susie, thank you for your poem! I love the truth and the power you convey through your poem. From, “to Narcissus in love with his own image,” to “remember the work, the discipline of caring enough.” It seems there is not enough acknowledgement of the hard work and dedication women have to fulfilling their family obligations. There’s no stopping us!
Susie, we spend so much time looking at the surface and you remind us of what is important and of those who don’t have the luxury of spending time on the surface when their survival is at risk. Thank you for sharing the beauty of what women do to ensure that survival.
Susie, wow, your poem is absolutely awe-inspiring! I love how you share the unlikeable behaviors in the opening and lead to the concrete example of the mothers and girls carrying water on their heads to ensure a family’s survival. I’ve suffered enough from narcistic people and “the Poloniuses enamored with their own voices,”. But you nailed it with your final three lines:
Thank you for sharing your incredibly powerful poem! What a refreshing world it would be if we could all remember these words. Loved it! Barb
Susie,
I love the way you celebrate those whose lives are treated as less valuable in our power-hungry world. The metaphors/allusions of Narcissus and Polonius are spot on. The repetition of “remember” calls to each of us to celebrate women who do the unsung work. Love these lines:
I so appreciate the ways you compose poetry of advocacy.
To the Doubters
Say to them,
say to the toe-dippers,
the side-whisperers,
the away-pullers,
the eyebrow-raisers,
“Close your eyes and let go.”
For believing isn’t seeing—
it’s wanting enough to trust.
Live for hope.
Live for possibility.
Live for the Son.
Rachel, I hope you had as much fun with this form as I did reading your poem! “toe-dippers, side-whisperers, away-pullers, eyebrow-raisers” I know just who you’re describing! THANK you!
Rachel, this is a wonderful Easter poem! May grace be with all of us in hopes that we can close our eyes and let go. Yes, “Live for hope.”
This was beautiful and elegantly simple, yet the simple speech contributed to the urgency of the message. Great poem!
Rachel,
I love this. It takes the risk of being inspirational. You really caught the rhythm and wordplay of Brooks’s poem. I hope you keep this around and expand it – I have a hunch you have more to say on this matter. For some reason, as I read the poem, Pearl’s words to Dimmesdale slipped into my head: “Thou wast not bold – thou wast not true!”
//david
Speech to Lovers; Speech to Love
Say to them and US
say to the LGBTQIA2S+ community members,
the love-is-lovers,
the joy-bringers
the law-changers,
“Protect yourself and your heart,
and your safe spaces for love.”
Honor your truth today
for tomorrow promises nothing.
Live your life in freedom!
Live to love out loud!
Love to live out louder!
©Stacey L. Joy, April 4, 2021
Stacey, your poem SINGS! I love all the l’s in the final stanza and especially that last line: “Love to live out louder!” Thank you for turning this prompt into such an exquisite, tight message!
Stacey, such a force! Thank you for this…I got goose bumps reading the last stanza…
What an amazing end to a powerful poem:
Stacey, I really appreciated the names you chose:
because it set a tone of joy and power. I imagine hearing this read over a megaphone to a crowd to wild applause of recognition and happiness.
Stacey, such strength in your words of encouragement and support, in people being who they deserve to be.
This was gorgeous. Love the building, climactic feel of it–the pacing was awesome. Beautiful message. 🙂
Love how the last three lines build in crescendo, verbally dancing with life and love – so, so beautiful!
Stacey, Amen! Sadly, tomorrow does promise nothing. For every step we take forward, it feels like we go five steps backwards. I love the power of your final lines.
Gosh, Stacey — Yes! I so appreciate the attention to love and the freedom to “love out loud…out louder!” Yes! Your caution “for tomorrow promises nothing” is the scary part… how strange a world when others want to dictate rules of loving… for crying out loud! I love your heart, my friend! Hugs, Susie
Love this prompt! Thanks Allison!
Easter Sermon
By Nancy White
Look up, world
The upside down is now made right
I’m telling you to stop!
Look! Listen!
There is a party
Like a pool-ful of puppies
Tails waggin’ and splish-splashin’
Joy unimaginable
Where rivers rush and flowers unfurl
Banners of life, love, and laughter
“Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.
Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice.”
So go with the life-flow
Put the stick down and lift your hands
Breathe life in big deep gulps
Don’t stay stuck in solitary confinement
Open up and roll away the stone
Get out of yourself and hand out love
Like chocolate eggs
For the world’s biggest Easter egg hunt.
What a beautiful Easter tribute!! I love these lines: “Open up and roll away the stone / Get out of yourself and hand out love”. The image of the pool full of splashing puppies is so perfect, too 🙂 Joyous.
Nancy, this is a beautiful Easter sermon. So many lovely images–one of my favorites being the pool-ful of puppies. A bit of advice that I love too: “Get out of yourself and hand out love / Like chocolate eggs.”
Nancy, line after line rings with joy here! These were two of my favorites: “Put the stick down and lift your hands
Breathe life in big deep gulps”
This felt like Walt Whitman (in a good way) to me:
So go with the life-flow
Put the stick down and lift your hands
Breathe life in big deep gulps.
Sound advice, and an awesome spring celebration!!
Wow! So much hallelujah here! I love the advice to “Get out of your self and hand out love.”
Nancy, such a wonderful Easter poem! I love the life and playfulness in, “Like a pool-ful of puppies
Tails waggin’ and splish-splashin.’” And the feeling the line brings to me when you write, “Breathe life in big deep gulps.” Thank you for sharing!
Allison, thank you so much for the great mentor texts today. Gwendolyn’s and yours. I appreciate all the scaffolding you provided, and I tried to make my just the same as the samples. 🙂 Your definition of worry is great. As a nighttime teeth grinder, I can relate.
Great advice right here:
Speech to the Spenders; Speech to the Planet-Sinkers
by Denise Krebs
Say to them,
Say to the private profit proliferators,
the conspicuous consumers,
the I-can’t-live-withouts,
and the empty souls needing something,
yet settling for stuff,
“More is not always better.”
Buying that thing will not satisfy your longings.
Try thrifting or bartering.
Wear out the one you already have.
Dig deep and see what’s really missing.
Free yourself by giving freely.
Yes, this is truth serum so many need to take! I love it. About 6 years ago, I was at rock bottom after I divorced my husband and knew my financial picture was bleak at best. I decided that the only way I could repair my finances was to stop spending, give more, save more, and pay off all the debts WE incurred unnecessarily. It only took 6 years to be on top and to be financially free and stable. Realizing that the “stuff” and my “longings” were all forms of bondage. I AM FREE!!
Thank you for this poem and the advice! Anyone who’s overspending needs to read your poem DAILY!
Love it! ?
Denise, I love what you did with this prompt! I appreciate how you noticed and mirrored Brooks’ alliteration. It adds to the confidence of the advice! “needing something…yet settling for stuff” is so good! I want to remember to pause and ask “What am I needing?” more in my life…and not “settle for stuff.” Thank you.
Denise, I really connected to your advice, and the reminder to look deep for what we really need.
Denise,
The alliteration here is wonderful: “ private profit proliferators,” and “conspicuous consumers.” I thought of the saying, “Use it up. Wear it out. Make it do, or do without” as I read your poem. I’ve been watching the show “Everything but the House” on HGTV and am in shock from the volume of worthless crap people have. I don’t understand collecting anything but books and fur babies!
I have dear ones in my life that simply cannot live without – how I wish they might “Dig deep and see what’s really missing.” Yes, empty souls needing something. It is such an unsettling way to live, and an unsettling position to be in – watching someone live like this.
Happy Easter, Denise!
Denise, what an important message! Absolutely love
Denise, we can all use this advice! To be good stewards of resources I feel like we have to let each thing live out its days – and not have too much. I love the clean spaces without clutter. Giving freely is something I know that you do so naturally because it is who you are! I love these wise words today.
I have no idea why I cannot finish spelling my name today. This is Kim. ?
Denise — This is just such good advice! I’ve been caught from time to time with “mo is betta” thinking, and shifting that is important. This is the poem to help all of us…me too! My favorite line is “free yourself to giving freely.” Yes, the acts of giving…always the most powerful thing we can do to fill our hearts. Thank you. Susie
Yay, good morning, Allison! I’m excited day after day since our month of writing together began. This is a great prompt and both your poem and GB’s are inspirational. Perfect mentors! I love the gentle reminders to your husband, yet I also feel the urgency in your advice to:
Brilliant choice to use loosen for his smile and not for the bone. Gives me the image that his smile has been forced. Nice!! Go rub his shoulders and kiss his heart with your poem.
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Thank you, Stacey, for hearing me! Especially in the spring, with planting upon us, my worried man can gnaw himself to distraction! I’m so glad you are here in this space sharing poems and encouragement! <3
Allison, thank you for the two-column model. I love it. I just used it to create my poem & I can already imagine how it will work in the classroom, too. I also appreciated your poem to your husband, especially the definition of worry and the line “You cannot masticate the unknown into submission.” I needed to hear that for myself! I have to admit that after only a few days I am suffering from some serious impostor syndrome. The poems here all seem so GOOD; mine seem so puny. SIGH. So I wrote a poem to my courage.
Speech to Myself; Speech to my Courage
Say to them,
say to the hold-backers,
the pencil-grabbers,
the cut-downers,
the you-can’ters,
“Even though you swear I am not good enough
I will continue to try.”
I will write.
For that is the deep core of me.
Write not for the glory.
Write not for the publication.
Write for the striving.
Amanda, I love your audience of one here. I like how you are giving advice and inspiring yourself, and simultaneously you are taking the advice. My favorite lines:
Amanda, this is such an encouraging and necessary piece for all of us who write. I love that the advice is personal!
??????
Oh I needed to hear this one! Thank you so much for sharing! I especially love your last stanza. “Write for the striving.” That’s why I write too.
Amanda,
I have been working in a Creative Writing class this quarter and kept telling the teacher, I am not a writer but I’ll work the assignments with the class, so I can better support students who come to my tutoring sessions.
“Even though you swear I am not good enough
I will continue to try.”
Amanda,
I’m finger-snapping wildly, simply for your courage to give it a go, to trust that deep core of you. In the darkest days of the pandemic shutdown, I came up with a mantra: When the world asks, say yes.
And I’d add that the world often asks in mysterious ways.
Salut, david
I loved this prompt, Allison. Sometimes, following a model is the best thing ever. And I do it side by side just like you 🙂 Ohhh do I know some worry warts. I want to share this poem with some but I don’t think they would appreciate. I love the last three sentences, especially “release the bone”! I can FEEL it.
Quiet Ones, This is For You
Say to them,
Say to the outskirt-opters,
The mic-muters,
The loud-lackers,
The double-doubters,
“Wrong answers don’t exist.
Whenever you are ready,
join our conversation party.
You are invited.”
Your voice is valuable.
Your voice is necessary.
Your voice is priceless.
Oh! I needed this poem. I love the inviting tone of it, the way it doesn’t scold but asks us in.
I wonder if I could share this with my students as we begin our work with poetry this week. I think it might speak to them; it certainly spoke to me.
Of course you can, Amanda! *honored*
I love that you call it a “conversation party” — such an warm name for what you do in the class, and then an open invitation. Student voice! This is a winner, Angie.
Angie, this invitation for voice and conversation parties to double doubters and quiet ones, just perfect. These thoughts make for incredible teachers as we look for ways to draw forth our students – how lucky they are to have you recognizing their value and necessariness!
Oh Angie, I have always felt like I’ve needed someone to invite me in. Thank you for this. It makes my soul rejoice!
Good morning everyone and thank you Allison for this prompt. I found your advice very helpful as I wrote this poem as a reminder to myself to live in the moment and not allow anxiety to get the better of me.
Say to me,
Say to the meandering mind…
The fidgeting fingers…
The panicking pacer…
The self-saboteur…
“Oh, you silly arrogant boy
the earth will keep turning.”
Look into your heart.
Listen to your breath.
Smell this moment.
Taste the calm.
Hold on to stillness.
“Fidgeting-fingers”, “panicky pacers” OMG I know too many people who do this. Spot on.
Angie, that’s me…my anxiety is crippling at times. I just need the reminder to ground all five senses. Thanks for the read.
“meandering mind” “fidgeting fingers” – oh yes! I recognize those! and I really appreciate how the poem calms that motion in its final stanza, grounding the reader in the senses of the moment. I actually felt calmer as I read it.
Thanks Amanda, I am glad you were able to have a read…
Eric, how did you know I needed this? Wow, I will have to keep the last stanza as an image on my phone as my spring break comes to a close today and tomorrow Zoom fatigue returns.
What wonderful self-talk the speaker engages in here. It certainly encouraged me!
This is so relatable, Eric. I enjoy the line “Taste the calm” which brings a unique form of imagery to the poem. Thank you for sharing this so honestly.
Eric, I will hold on to these words. I need to hear this often! Thanks!
You bring yourself from anxious movements – fidgeting fingers, panicking pacer, self-saboteur to Hold on to stillness. Clearly, key advice.
Allison, what a wonderful prompt today. I love this line, “You cannot masticate the unknown into submission.” What a way to remind us unclench, loosen, release.
Allison, thank you for this wonderful inspiration. I plan to do this with my students; creating a mimic of this awesome poem will help them to understand it more.
Your poem captures the essence of your worrying husband so well. I love this line:
“Your bite cannot masticate the unknown into submission.”
Speech to the Superficial: Speech to the How-Do-I-Look? Obsessed
Say to them,
say to the botox-worshippers,
the Sephora-shoppers
the home decor-whores,
the influencer-followers,
“The surface is only a small part of
anything. The inside is what matters.”
Quit fighting nature
and worrying about what others do and have.
Be who you are.
Be who you were made to be.
Be.
~Susan Ahlbrand
4 April 2021
Susan, this reminder to Be is just the breath needed. While it exists as a command, it settles, it allows, it forgives, and is gracious. Just BEautiful!
Damn, Susan! “Home decor-whores” PREACH. That line is gold and this whole poem.
Susan, you nailed it! I love Sephora but I laugh when the employees suggest products that WILL NEVER WORK on 57 year old skin the way it does on 20 year old skin. LOL!
I will savor these lines:
THIS! Yes, Susan! I have been tinkering with the idea of ceasing the coloring of my hair……this may be the sign I needed. Be. Let the gray be. This is marvelous advice – two little letters, one huge word.
Allison, thank you so much for sharing this prompt! I love the juxtaposition you point out in your poem as well as the simplicity of this form. I, like your husband, sometimes need to hear that my “bite” isn’t going to change the situation, and to let it go. So thank you for that as well!
My poem takes its inspiration from a piece of wisdom passed down to me from my favorite online yoga instructor, Adriene, who sends out weekly letters filled with love and hope.
Say to them,
to the fear-monsters,
the qualms-keepers,
the self-doubters,
the timid beginners—
“That which you desire,
you already possess.”
You will never be perfect,
but flaws are opportunities
for greater learning.
Live not for mistakes anticipated.
Live not for self-questioning fears.
Live in the becoming.
Christine, I especially like the view and reminder of “flaws are opportunities.” It is key to build off our failures and I appreciate how you’ve weaved that into your poem. Thank you for sharing.
Christine, what a beautiful reminder to “live in the becoming.” Imagine if every child was reminded of this – what spirit and energy and creativity would build. “That which you desire, you already possess” – yes! Absolutely yes!
Christine, “Live in the becoming” is a WONDERFUL line. This is great to share with students 🙂 Thank you.
What a fantastic final line! I love Adriene, too, and I really appreciate the hope that is bound up in this poem. Thank you!
Living in the becoming ❤️?
Today, I’m sharing a poem written to yesterday’s “I Don’t Want to Be” prompt.
I don’t want to be a teacher.
Grey bun top-knotted
as tightly wound as she.
A pencil protrudes from it,
A bit jauntily.
Readers perched on tip of nose,
glaring down
on student prose:
“Oh, that’s so trite.”
“Learn to use ‘effect’
correctly,
you dolt!”
“Can’t anyone spell ‘definitely’
anymore?”
Smirking with colleagues
over
Teenage romances
Trite turns of phrase
Those “absence excuses.”
(“I’m sure his mother wrote this for him.”)
I want to be a teacher.
(“He needs my patience, not disdain.”)
Watching with colleagues
over
Hands held bravely, proudly, in halls
Turns of phrase, new to them, tentatively offered
Those impossible choices.
Will the world end if she can’t spell ‘definitely?’
Better to embrace the indefinite.
Will ‘affect/effect’ sink her future?
Better to understand the effects.
Will a trite phrase sink a chance at happiness?
“I love you” is the tritest of them all.
Better:
Readers perched on nose
Pencil spins jauntily between fingers.
From grey topknot
Escapes stray tendrils,
loosed in the excited spilling of ideas,
Untamed as the minds before her.
Wendy, I have goosebumps! Yesterday, I tried to write an “I don’t want to be poem” but I didn’t like how it turned out. I couldn’t get the words right. And your poem says what I wanted to say with my heart! As a preservice teacher, my worst fear is being a “bad teacher” or one who doesn’t connect with students’ needs and doesn’t support them. I want to be a teacher who does no harm, but also one who acknowledges, as you put it “the effects” of our pedagogy. I love how you used the image of the grey bun in the beginning and the end to show the difference between clinging to what is “right” and actually doing what is most important. Your poem fills me with so much hope, so thank you for sharing it here.
Christine, I’ve been teaching for 24 years, and I still love it. 🙂
Wendy, Thank you for sharing this here. I think we can all resonate with this here…always remember to humanize education!
Such a lovely poem and I’m glad you wrote it and didn’t skip the prompt. I will read this many, many times:
Yes, like Christine said, I got goosebumps on the better teacher example: “Untamed as the minds before her.” I love that–it’s the kind of teacher I want to be!
Great prompt, Allison! I love Gwendolyn Brooks, and I love your “Speech to My Husband.” Loved “the scorpion-minder,” so many ways to think about this (and nice nod to Macbeth!).
I wondered if anyone would hear “full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife”! YES 🙂 Thank you!
Allison, this prompt! Oh, all the advice poems
I could write today. (And….the ones I need to hear). I know that weather worrying husband. The one who flies out of the house to super glue the grass tighter to the lawn when we might have strong winds? Yes, those worriers are good at helping us see things from a different angle, aren’t they!? What a great way to begin this day, getting things we want to say said. Thank you for hosting us today. Happy Easter!
I wrote my poem today in the form of a prose poem, not minding line breaks or form the way I initially thought I would.
Say to them
Say to them, say to the chittering chatterers, the nonstop nonwriterss, the pencil-plagued, the drama driven, the social sasses, the introverted intellectuals, the down-in-the dumps depressed, the wordy will-nots:
“For all the talking and thinking and social media-ing you do, for all the ways you feel, for all the changing moods and all the injustices and all the promises and hopes and all the fears, you have stories! Forget the King’s English and the red pens of your past. Turn on your phone’s recorder and use talk to text if your pencil is out of lead for the 32nd time this month. Begin. Voice your story into air like you’re talking to someone, and watch it magically come to life as your words fall onto the screen.”
We all have something to say.
You, too, are a writer.
Work your magic.
Tell your story. .
-kim johnson
This is great! I love the social media-ing. I find prose poems a challenge. But, this one is so real. I’d love to use it in the classroom.
Oh Kim, I love your poem so much and your encouragement to “tell your story” — this is so important! It’s one of the things I love about being a human and interacting with humans, is how everyone has a story, and how we benefit from other people telling their stories. I love that you wrote this as a prose poem as well. To me, it speaks to the intimidation that people often feel when they’re trying to write, which is so relatable (especially as I am still uncomfortable writing poetry). Thank you for sharing this!
Kim! What an invitation to all. The idea of voicing our stories into air as they magically come to life captures the spirit of the writing we do here and the writing we encourage from our students. This is beautiful!
What a great poem, Kim. It made me laugh and think. “Pencil plagued”, “Social media-ing” and “32nd time”. I’m sure students will appreciate “Work your magic”! I think the most important word is “Begin.”
Wow, so much great advice here to reluctant and all writers. I love the invitation to record their stories. You are teaching the real meaning of composition here–it doesn’t have to do with holding a pencil and spelling, but it is about the story. Thank you for this.
Star Gatherers
Say to the fledglings
say to the nestlings
the first-steppers
the plunge-takers
the course-charters
the road-pavers,
“Even if they tell you
the world is flat,
blaze forth,
fall off the edge,
strap yourself
to thermal engines
and electric fireflies.
Live for the tails of comets.
Live for the dust of meteors,
the candy skies.
Gather the stars.
Jennifer,
This part GOT me:
blaze forth,
fall off the edge,
strap yourself
to thermal engines
and electric fireflies.
Those are absolutely fascinating words that I want to posterize and put all around every school.
You have such a gift – a way with words. As graduation approaches, I think it’s a message to go into the world doing what we love! And encouraging our students to hug the world and all its promises. beautiful, really beautiful!
Electric fireflies! Love it. And, the command to blaze forth, fall off the edge. Wonderful word images in this.
Jennifer,
In agreeance with the comments above, your quoted lines, “Even if…” is lovely, bringing inspiration to the reader. Thank you for sharing your words here today.
This reminds me of Donovan Livingston’s “Lift Off”! I love the full circle ending of “Gather the stars”.
Jennifer,
I love this call to “ Live for the tails of comets. / Live for the dust of meteors.” How did we get to this place in which we have a return of the flatlanders? Your poem is full of possibility and hope. I think it needs to be on a poster. Love it.
Jennifer — I think you should print this poem and give a copy to your students at the end of the year. Or at the end of the year (if there is a sort of assembly) — likely not given what a whack-a-doodle year this has been — but still, this should be a graduation speech! I love the images of this poem… I’d put in block quotes my favorite lines, but I’d just put the whole poem in quotes — I really love the spur, the faith, that trust that exudes in this poem…”strap yourself/to thermal engines”… yes!!! What an inspiring piece of artistry this is! Love love love it! Susie
Allison,
Thank you for this succinct and inspirational form. I appreciate your line, “Your bite cannot masticate the unknown into submission”–this imagery/personification of “the unknown” has a great effect here. Thank you again.
Say to your reflection, say to the mirrored-screens,
the rear-view, the selfie-d photos, the pristine-glass
“Even if you are pushed beyond your borders,
your domestic care takes priority.”
Live for self-care before you consider
living for other-care. Leader of one before
you lead the bouquet. Internal blossom first.
Stefani, your words give us the oxygen mask that we need to have dangled in front of us every day to remind us that those around us will not get the best of us if we don’t breathe first. So important! I needed this message today. I need to print this and put it on my own bathroom mirror and read it first thing every day!
Stefani, I love the imagery you use to tie in borders and boundaries with the idea of self-care. I definitely feel “pushed beyond [my] borders” of late, so I needed this reminder. I especially love your last line. “Internal blossom first” — what a beautiful image on this spring morning. Thank you.
Stefani, oh, the imagery in the single blossom and bouquet. We need constant reminders for self care and your poem reflects that in every line. Love the term other-care and most especially the line, “Internal blossom first.” Beautiful spring visual.
Hi Dr. Boutelier,
This is a great reminder for me. Thanks.
EE
A tiny backstory…My one-little-word for ’21 is Ox. I write a poem about Ox or oxen each week and post it to a padlet.
This week, Jone McCullogh shared an interview she had with Alan Wolfe over his newest book in verse about the Donner Party. https://fresh.inlinkz.com/iframe/blog?u=c56db2bf6bd04cd59a3e1203237acb34
There were a lot of oxen in the Donner Party. I turned this poem prompt into advice from the oxen to the members of the wagon train.
Council of Oxen
Say to them,
say to the wanters
the dirt-drivers
the west-whippers,
the trail-trippers
“Even if the land appears free
this price is too dear.”
You will walk us to death
then eat our flesh
and still not survive.
For this is your manifest destiny.
Live for home treasures
Live for daughters and sons
Live
Linda, your word oxen is quite fitting here with the oxen of the party. I wonder how history may have changed if a little slip of paper with your words of advice had floated down for them to read about the unintended consequences of their decisions. Writing like this that we are doing today gives an inner feeling of deep satisfaction – reading yours sure does! I love the one word last line.
Cool perspective, Linda! Love the idea of finding a “one-little-word” for your year and digging into it. Very cool. Also love how the “council” in the title can also be thought of as “counsel.” Great poem!
Linda, the idea of “one-little-word” for a year is intriguing. I want to play around with that more. Thanks for additional inspiration today. My favorite part is the nut of advice, “even if the land appears free this price is too dear… for this is your manifest destiny.” Lots to resonate.