Welcome to Day 4 of the June Open Write. If you have written with us before, welcome back. If you are joining us for the first time, you are in the kind, capable hands of today’s host, so just read prompt below and then, when you are ready, write in the comment section below. We do ask that if you write that, in the spirit of reciprocity, you respond to three or more writers. To learn more about the Open Write, click here.
Our Host
Anna J. Small Roseboro, a National Board Certified Teacher has over four decades of experience in public, private schools and colleges, mentoring early career educators, facilitating leadership institutes, in five states. She has served a director of summer programs and chair of her English department, published six textbooks based on these experiences, and was awarded Distinguished Service Awards by the California Association of Teachers of English and the National Council of Teachers of English. Her poetry appears in several issues of FINE LINES: An Anthology of Poetry and Prose (2015-2020); was in her own publication EXPERIENCE POEMS AND PICTURES: Poetry that Paints/Pictures that Speak (2019) and will be featured in CENTERED IN CHRIST, a devotional coming out this Fall. Her new textbook PLANNING WITH PURPOSE: A Handbook for New College Teachers published by Rowman and Littlefield also is due out this Fall.
Inspiration
Are you a new teacher? A veteran in the classroom? Or a student teacher just starting to plan for and work with students on your own? Wondering how to get off to a good start? Yes, the end of the school year can be a great time to start all over again. These ideas work well at mid-year too, even if you’re teaching a full year course. Sounds paradoxical, huh? Think about it. Reflecting and projecting is an excellent way to isolate what has worked and focus on what we can do better.
Process
So, let’s write a poem using words and phrases having to do with these two words. Reflection and Projection. Check out synonyms at the links. Write an acrostic using one or both of these words, or whatever style comes to mind as you reflect on this past school year and project on to the next.
Anna’s Poem
Reflection makes me think
They should think what I want them to think
Projection let’s me know
I must first see what they show.
Each year I must learn each name
Mispronouncing is such a shame
They don’t pay attention
If I don’t’ give attention
To when their names they say
Even when they’re not spelled that way.
So, planning for next year
If I want to get off to a good start
I must learn their names and say them right
That just shows them I have them at heart
And then maybe they’ll learn to write.
Writing it first, then writing it right
Maybe there won’t be such a fight
If I can just say their names at first sight
Now, who’s gonna help me get them right?
Your Turn
Now, scroll to the comment section below to write your own poem. (This is a public space, so you may choose to use only your first name or initials depending on your privacy preferences.) Not ready? That’s okay. Read the poems already posted for more inspiration. Ponder your own throughout the day. Return later. And, if the prompt does not work for you, that is fine. All writing is welcome. Just write something. Also, please be sure to respond to at least three writers. Oh, and a note about drafting: Since we are writing in short bursts, we all understand (and even welcome) the typos and partial poems that remind us we are human and that writing is always becoming. If you’d like to invite other teachers to write with us, tell them to subscribe.
Reflection and Projection
Every year I strive to many things so differently.
Attempting to be better ~ the best teacher I can be
I spend the summer time mastering my profession.
“How would this really work?” is always a nagging question.
I value professional development even on my own time.
Always hoping to improve my instructional design.
Anna, what a great prompt! Perfect as my school year winds down.
I just finished the AP Reading in Cincy, and your prompt hit the perfect note.
(By the way, I loved your first, thought-provoking stanza.)
Reading
Essays off of a screen is so
Flipping boring.
Let’s be real: It starts off fresh, I’m
Eager to hear each new idea, but by essay
CLXXX, it
Takes all of my focus to not want to go
Ape, run around the room, claw my eyes out. I
Now begin to daydream, to think about how I
Did what I did this year, and how I can do better,
Propelling my thoughts to September, and I get
Really excited about possibility, about
Other ideas, new ideas, and
Just when I’m feeling the spiraling star of brainstorms,
ETS brings me back to reality: The screen, the
Cursor swim back into focus, and I, grounded,
Touch Earth again: 300 essays down, an eternity to go.
Wendy,
I relate to this poem on so many levels!
I find myself immersed in grading or some mundane task those last weeks of school and in come the crazy thoughts of self-reflection and critique. We are so hard on ourselves sometimes.
I love that you chose this topic. I hope you have a relaxing summer soon!
Anna, I really appreciate the opportunity to reflect, so I’m a day late, hopefully not a dollar short! I’ve been in my classroom wrapping things up, and this topic is so important right now!
Reflection
My plans: a tic tac toe board
X-ing out the days that left us snoozing
O-rings around the magical moments.
Did I win? No –
a cat’s game of first-year mistakes
and unexpected greats,
Projection
My writers need more
s p a c e
to tell the story of
the storm that left a seaweed-strewn yard
the soccer game with unfair refs
dying their cousin’s hair purple
the big video game win.
My writers need more time
to let their writing percolate,
rearrange, and celebrate.
My writers need more
space and time
the universe of middle school
collapsing and expanding each day.
Emily,
I loved this:
“X-ing out the days that left us snoozing
O-rings around the magical moments.”
and this:
“My writers need more
space and time
the universe of middle school
collapsing and expanding each day.”
That last line is so poignant and true!
Anna,
Thanks for hosting. I was lucky to have a high school speech and debate coach who taught me the importance of self-reflection as integral to learning, so I appreciate the opportunity to reflect today. Still, I took a political rather than a personal or education approach to the prompt because I’m obsessed w/ a certain existential threat to democracy we face.
self-reflected gaze
his self-directed gaze
searches for a mirror
looks for a camera
scans the day’s headlines
he’s captivated by his reflection
in this twisted scavenger hunt
he sliced this place with
his serrated tongue—
a strongman for the social
media zeitgeist fixated on
watching cat videos
deep fakes & fake news
each phoneme he utters
explodes like a dormant
land mine scattering shrapnel—
scorched earth projections
masquerading confessions
before a cheering throng
Glenda Funk
6-18-24
Ohhh, Glenda. Thank you for this poem. Your word choices are so strong: twisted, serrated, dormant land mine scattering shrapnel–I couldn’t agree more.
Glenda, I read your poem on FB first. Somehow I knew right away who “he” is in your poem. Your diction is strong, piercing, and propelling the message. Bravo!
Glenda, the imagery in here is phenomenal and so on point. The multitude of discordant consonants underscore your message and its subject.
Ooooweee, I hear your poem with growls in the background. Wow, what a power-packed gut punch! Thank you, Glenda.
we
Read
Every day without
Fail. We
Listened and pushed
Each
Contribution
To deeper analysis
Inward
Outward
Nuanced.
we (will)
Push
Roaring
Onward.
Just you wait.
Education
Cannot be
Tied to objective measurement.
I know too much to go back.
Onward.
Now.
Allison, what’s great idea to start with cancer will. I also like the brevity of your lines. That helps each one pack a punch. Onward!
Allison,
”I know too much to go back” is (was) my mantra from the moment NCLB became the guiding policy that ushered in this crazy testing death knell. Shout it from every classroom:
“Education
Cannot be
Tied to objective measurement.”
But I worry about the young teachers arriving in classrooms who were educated in this testing vortex. How will they know there’s a better way?
Alison, what a great clarion call to action for teachers this is. Loved that last sentiment, and I agree wholeheartedly. At this point in my career, I’m going to go to the wall for these ideals.
Let’s gooooo!! Cheering this poem onward!
👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Anna,
Posting late again today as I just got back from vacation. I didn’t exactly follow the prompt and ended up with a poem for two voices instead.
For context, I am leaving the classroom to join a leadership team in another district developing gifted and honors programming. I am excited about the opportunity but sad to leave my students.
Our Journey Ends
His email reads, I’ve discovered an opportunity.
“You’re leaving?” I’m embarking on a new adventure
“… so many words I could say
to describe the way we all feel about you”
I will our laughter & our classroom unity.
Our journey together is at an end.
New experiences await for you & me
around the bend.
“…my favorite class this year” I hope you know how talented you are.
Always believe in yourself and
“This year has been amazing you will shine like stars
all because of you”
“Thank you for everything you have done” I wouldn’t be here in this moment if it
weren’t for all the wonderful moments that
came before.
I am the lucky one,
having been your teacher.
Tammi, I’m so glad you came and shared this poem, which really does “fit” the prompt, which invited participants to reflect on the past year or so as educators, primarily as classroom teachers. You did just that in this dialogue poem.
Your success suggests that sharing what led you to this new position will aid others seeking to improve their practice.
We do hope you continue to join us on OPENWRITE and share how you utilizing poetry can aid in teaching ANY subject. Watch for our new book on describing ways assigning students to write poetry can be an effective formative and summative tool!
Take care.
I lost the formatting. So I’m trying it again. Second voice is bold.
Our Journey Ends
His email reads, .
“You’re leaving?”
I’ve discovered an opportunity
I’m embarking on a new adventure
“… so many words I could say
to describe the way we all feel about you”
I will miss our laughter & our classroom unity.
Our journey together is at an end.
New experiences await for you & me
around the bend.
“…my favorite class this year”
I want you to know how talented you are
“This year has been amazing
all because of you”
Always believe in yourselves
and you will shine like stars
\
“Thank you for everything you have done”
I wouldn’t be here in this moment if it
weren’t for all the wonderful moments that
came before.
I am the lucky one,
to have been your teacher.
Tammi, congratulations on the new adventure! Your poem in two voices reveal how impactful your work is on the students and how they appreciate your efforts. On the other hand, your pride and care for the students are admirable. Good luck!
Tammi, the two voices are so kind and loving toward each other. This really put a smile on my face. Best of luck to you!
Tammi, I loved reading both “versions” of your poem. I admire how you used dialog to move the poem forward (while both “sides” provided additional voices). At 64, I am now an “old teacher.” I love my work. If your new position doesn’t feel right, returning to the classroom is never a step backward. Wishing you all the best.
Anna, thank you for hosting today. As much as I should, it’s difficult for me to reflect and think positively. Your first stones resonated with me, especially this line:
“They should think what I want them to think”. it’s not our job to make them think what we think, but to help them think on how to solve problems.
Thankfully, failing is a part of the leaning process and of the job. So I reflect and redo and hope for the best. I chose to write an acrostic poem with “reflection.” Thank you again for sharing.
Remembering my “why” but
Excluding the real reason for not quitting.
Falling into practices I still don’t understand.
Lying to myself that I will ask for clarification but
Everyone is busy so I try to figure it out myself.
Calling you say? I don’t hear you very well.
Talk is cheap just like many treat this profession.
Intrinsic motivation is the richest thing I gain.
Onward to higher heights and new opportunities.
Never a dull moment in education.
Jessica, you picked up on a key misconception about teaching: that students should like what we like and think what we think because we’re right! Over time, we’ve learned what you mentioned in your opening note: that we should be discovering ways to help them THINK and SOLVE problems (not just in math and science).
Your closing sentence sums up one of the many reasons so many long-term educators have remained. “Never a dull moment in education.”
Thanks for pointing out the facts!
Jessica, I like the duality I sense in your poem. There seems to be a lot of frustration in the first several lines, which I can relate to. But your last three lines capture why we are educators. Bravo!
Anna,
Your poem resonates with me! There is so much connection when people use each other’s names! I look into my precious students’ faces, cheering their learning, then call them the wrong name! FAIL! I want to join you in your “projection.”
Allison, with so many families choosing cultural names and creating novel spelling for traditional names, we teachers are stressed to figure out the correct pronunciations.
Many colleges now send photos of students on our class lists, but few colleges I’m aware of include phonetic spellings of the names. That “MAY” help more of us.
On the other hand, “Getting to Know You” activities at the start of the course, including opportunities to talk and write about “living with our names” has helped me learn about my students and discover the preferred pronunciation.
Hi Anna,
I’m late posting because I had one last day of PD and other obligations afterwards. I love that you wrote about the importance of names and pronouncing them correctly. We can’t stress that enough to new teachers.
Here is my acrostic on reflection. Thank you for giving me time to pause this evening. I’ll be sure to come back to comment tomorrow in my completely commitment-free morning.
Reflecting on the
Ease with which I
Feel on these first days of summer
Losing myself in having no
Expectations other than to
Create space for me
To unwind and flow
Into the bliss
Of
Now
©Stacey L. Joy, June 18, 2024
Oh yes Stacey Joy! “Losing myself in having no expectations…” that’s when summer break has arrived! Creating space to do a little housekeeping-Decluttering and remodeling, preparing for a new year. But first, we rest and we write. Thank you for sharing.
Very peaceful and soothing, Stacey! Enjoy “flow[ing] / Into the bliss / Of / Now.” You deserve it!
Stacey,
I can totally relate especially to this –“Losing myself in having no/Expectations other than to/Create space for me” Creating time for ourselves is so important! During the school year teachers never give themselves enough of this space.
Stacey, though you’ve written a short poem, it captures most educators’ feelings at the end of the school year and what many have expressed in response to today’s prompt. It’s over and I need a break …but…
Wishing you a relaxing AND rejuvenating summer.
Yes, Stacey! Enjoy the break, relax, and then you may think about something. “Create space for me” is the way to go!
Reflection
By Mo Daley 6-18-24
There was a young man with quite a hideous reflection
Though he never noticed it in his daily mirror inspection
Covered with pimples and a wart
He believed he looked great, in short,
With confidence he roared, “Goodness me! I am perfection!”
Limerick, that’s a way to go, Mo! Lol. Love it!
I love it Mo! “I am perfection” because no one else is like me. “He believed he looked great”. So that selfless it. The mold was broken by the Creator. If only I had this confidence more often.
Mo — I love this! What a fun poem!
Mo, I am so glad you joined the “conversations” today, sharing the voice of one of your confident students. He knows WHO he is, and what folks see is only skin deep. What’s more important is how he feels about himself and how he treats others. I hope, when and if you write a stanza two, you share that aspect of this person, too. How did this pimply faced guy act? As you project on his future, do you think that confidence with benefit or hinder his progress as a student?
You know me. Always asking questions.
Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for hosting today, Anna! I appreciate you reminding us about the importance of reflection. I use it a lot in my methods courses for teacher candidates. Just like you, I believe that knowing students’ names helps me; it also makes my students realize that each one of them is valuable and unique in my classroom.
For my poem, I didn’t focus on any particular reflections from my courses. I do have some things in my mind and will adjust my syllabus along with assignment pacing. Today I went more for the poem’s mirror’s image and played with Canva a little. I am not sure the formatting will stay as intended in this post, but it is intact in the attachment.
There is No Projection Without Reflection
Reflection
Thoughtful, silent
Glancing back in time
Past and present intertwine
Lessons learned, experiences fine
A bridge of time, connecting
Reflection’s gentle eye
Processing past
We find
Growth
and
Change
in
Reflections
Building wisdom
Discovery guiding us
Embracing various possibilities
Past victories and defeats enlighten our sight
Reflection is the first true move to
A new path we have to pursue
Forward we stride
Creating
Projections
Leilya, the formatting perfectly captures this line in the canva:
Glancing back in time
Past and present intertwine
It feels like the hourglass – – the sands of time, mixing together
as past and present intertwine – I love that you use reflection with
your students who are becoming teachers. It’s the best bang for our
buck as we consider planning and meeting our students’ needs!
Leilya,
I’m glad you included the Canva. Its lovely. My favorite line is “Past and present intertwine.” That’s a perfect way to think about reflecting. The language choices throughout are sublime. I love reading cathartic poems like this one.
Ditto on comments by Kim and Glenda re content. Your adding the photo illustrate the power of positioning lines on the page, another unique element of this genre.
Thanks sharing both.
Yes, Leilya, beautiful intertwining between reflection and projection. I love the sound of all the /s/ and the long i words at the end of the lines in the first section. It sounds beautiful to read aloud.
Leilya,
The poem itself is great, but the image you created really enhances it.
is just such a great line.
Hi Leilya. Your Canva formatting is lovely. I really like your idea of a bridge of time. Really nicely done.
This is beautiful Leilya! If only we spent as much time reflecting as we do complaining. These phrases resonate with me: “Past and present intertwine
Lessons learned, experiences fine
A bridge of time, connecting
Reflection’s gentle eye”. Reflection should be about slowing down and taking our time. How can we do it better next time? Fine tuning what we having and taking a critical eye to see beyond the surface. Thank you for sharing and I love how it turned out on Canva!
Leilya, I’m with everyone else! I love your hourglass Canva image! It’s just perfect. I also really believe the line, “Reflection is the first true move to / A new path we have to pursue.” Thanks for this!
Leilya,
I have my middle schools students write reflections at the end of the grading periods and I am always pleasantly surprised at how thoughtful they are. I love these line —
“Past victories and defeats enlighten our sight/Reflection is the first true move to/
A new path we have to pursue” — so true.
Upon reflection,
I started the year with
structure and thousands
of plans and routines
as I do yearly.
I usually revisit my ideas and plans
and educational musings
every 6 weeks.
However, this year due to an
unsure admin, in my opinion,
and challenging curriculum that
falsely assumes
students have mastered everything
from year to year,
I’ve realized
consistency, joy, music, and art,
along with games,
will assist them with the
rigor of 5th grade while also
allowing them
to trust me more and comply with less fussiness.
Seana, I am right there with you, reflecting, revising, adjusting, and the such. I also like how your experiences teach you to include more things that are more beneficial for kids: “consistency, joy, music, and art / aling with games.” These sound like engaging strategies and activities. Thank you for sharing!
Shawna, the reflection in your poem reinforce the concept of leading FROM the classroom. As teachers gain more confidence in what works, they are more likely to incorporate music and art more consistently which inevitably brings joy to both students and teachers.
With trust comes the learning…on both sides. When the students move on,they usually are more open to learning…and subsequent teachers will begin to question why and how your students arrive so ready to learn. Then, the leader that you are will simply share and the beat goes on! As does the game of teaching! Gotta adjust to the team with which we’re playing.
Keep up the good work.
Seana,
I love the shift you made . . .
We just have to get back to what really matters, don’t we?
Seana,
I love that you plan incorporate “joy, music, and art along with games.” Learning should be fun, and I agree students are more compliant when they are having fun. I discovered that incorporating collaborative creativity days also gets my students excited about learning too.
thank you for a cool prompt!!
Sun Kiss
I see you reflecting me,
A comfort of my eternity.
Sun glistened with purity,
Swished with
Salted foam clarity.
Your voyage from the abyss,
Cleansing us, to coexist.
Your strength we cannot resist,
Camouflaged by a sun kiss.
So, mirror me, as we are alone,
Project me, before you are gone.
We are different waves with our thoughts cloned,
I become water, you become bone.
Reflect from where I stand,
Each grain, each bleached ton of sand,
Rejuvenating our land,
Signaling a wave from our Father’s hand.
And your roll projects my heartbeat,
For a slight second when we meet,
Crashing relief of the Gulf’s heat,
Before you retreat beneath my feet.
From afar you came,
From afar I did the same,
For a chance to tame,
This world we claim.
We met, to never meet again,
As we return to where we begin,
With renewed ambition,
Or hopeless wishing…….
Goodbye wave, you will be missed,
As you journey back to the abyss,
In this moment we did exist,
a projected reflection,
Under a Floridian Sun Kiss.
– Boxer
Boxer, the rhyming here is fun and holds the theme of reflection in the form of echoing the rhyme several times. Each stanza is a mirror of that. So cool.
Sarah
Boxer, the rhythm you chose reverberates as do the waves. And this line reminded me of teaching. Our students come in on waves with fresh perspectives that reflect where they’ve been.
We are different waves with our thoughts cloned,
Thanks for both the poem, the pattern and the persepective.
Boxer, I so enjoyed reading your poem. The richness of reflective images is incredible. As I read the poem, it seemed as if I heard the music on the background. It sounded like the song lyrics to me. Beautiful, thoughtful, candid!
Boxer,
Loved the rhythm and rhyme of this poem. I felt the rolling waves crashing and receding. Beautiful poem.
Anna, thank you for the encouragement to both reflect and project. And I’m right there with you…as a white teacher in a predominantly Hispanic school, I am so afraid of mispronouncing.
I was so intrigued by “Wabi-Sabi” in Sharon’s poem…it’s a phrase I had heard before, but I never really knew quite what it meant. So, I did a deep dive as part of my reflection today. (Thank you, Sharon!)
Wabi-Sabi Magic Wand
The lesson plan that fell apart;
so many cell phones out–
so few engaged students;
the time (or many) I failed to
really connect with a student;
the time I inadvertently
made a group of students feel
dumb;
The time I was so overwhelmed
with my grading piles, I
didn’t even READ their
essays, much less give constructive
feedback
What do all of these times have
in common?
A lack of connection…
I wanna wave my magic
wabi-sabi wand…
how can I turn these times
of disconnect into connection?
How can I embrace fully
what IS?
Oh, Julie. This poem works to hold a mirror up to me and all the time I failed or overlooked. I see you, too.
Sarah
Julie, your poem reminds so many of us of how often we wish we hand a wand, Wabi-Sabi Magic Wand, to do the portions of our job we don’t like or have time to do well,
But, your closing line suggests that you’re open to doing more of the work yourself.
Stay tuned here. You’ll be gathering ideas that may work like magic next year!
Julie, I “hear” you so well. I was just talking to my daughter this morning about some mishaps I had raising my two girls, and my baby-girl, who is a mom herself now said: “But we are not robots, we are just humans. Of course, we make mistakes!” The most important thing is that you reflect on these instances, and while you can’t go back, you are paying more attention to things and think how to improve, avoid, enhance. No wabi-sabi can help, just us ))
Julie,
You’ve captured what so many teachers feel …
“I wanna wave my magic/wabi-sabi wand…” I think we have all wished for that wand at one time or another. And your last lines –“How can I embrace fully what IS? — is truly a question to ponder. It is a challenge for teachers to be in the moment when there’s so much coming at us at once.
blockades
what’s in
the in-between
of reflection
and
projection?
we bend for one
and
throw for the other;
look back for one
and
forward
for the other.
are we flexible enough?
are we strong enough?
can our eyes do their job?
can we even
see ourselves
with clear vision
or do our myopic
eyes
distort things
too much?
do we see
what we want
to see
rather than what is?
do we throw
our junk
out
to land wherever
maybe on others?
are our eyes flexible
enough to go
from looking in
to looking out?
walls are in the way.
~Susan Ahlbrand
18 June 2024
Susan, love this philosophical bending of being that your surface in the ways we see “myopic” and “distort” and “want.” I wonder if we can ever really see with our psychological blockades.
Sarah
Susan, reading your poem will make it difficult for us to “blockade” (an act or means of sealing off a place to prevent goods or people from entering or leaving) anymore.
We see that we must remove the walls in order to move on and we’ll keep striving for
“eyes flexible to from looking in to looking out”
Reading one another’s poems helps demolish some of these walls!
Projecting Enough
She’d stroke my hair
at night;
never at day
was she tender
except to douse talcum
or comb knots.
I am tender.
Arms deep in suds
voice lifted on alters
pink blotted tissues
mystery pills in cabinet
boxes of pads closeted
in service.
I serve others.
And I do not recall
the saint ceremony
but they’d say
she was
forever going beyond
always exhausted
so selfless, so generous.
I am selfless.
I forget the guilt-trip
blaming
silence treatments
and empty fridge
withholding words
of praise until
contrition, repentance.
I give praise.
I forget she taught me
not to rest
that idle was lazy
prayer was forgiveness
not comfort
that pain was proof
of a life earned.
I feel pain.
I wish I had looked
in the mirror sooner
felt the familiar varicose
vein pulsing,
see pruned finger tips
and said enough.
But I don’t understand enough.
She’d stroke my hair
at night
never at day
was there enough.
__________________________
This is not where I thought the poem would go today, but I have been studying narcissisms and my childhood and thinking about projection. People with narcissistic tendencies are likely to engage in projection by projecting their self-image onto others. I have taken up some of my mother’s traits, and I fear I have or project them onto others. Trying to be more aware and intentional.
Kacel EL, Ennis N, Pereira DB. Narcissistic personality disorder in clinical health psychology practice: case studies of comorbid psychological distress and life-limiting illness. Behav Med. 2017;43(3):156-164. doi:10.1080/08964289.2017.1301875
Sarah, from what we experience here on OPEN WRITE, you’re utilizing positive aspects of this person.
I forget she taught me
not to rest
that idle was lazy
prayer was forgiveness
not comfort
that pain was proof
of a life earned.
Though you may feel pain from time to time, your recollections of your Mom’s teaching, like the truth about forgiveness, will see you through…with proof.
And forgiveness is a lifelong venture. Each time thoughts about her arise that make you feel bad, the more quickly you forgive, the less pain you’ll experience. Notice, the key word is “less”. You’ve probably picked that up in poems I’ve written over the years.
Releasing that pain in poetry is another cure … but it’s not a preventative.
Thanks for maintaining this space for other to recall, acknowledge and to forgive and move on.
Sarah,
After reading your endnote I reread your poem. There’s a definite tonal shift in the longer verses compared to the personal one line ones. You may have some of your mother’s traits, but you’re light years away from narcissism, IMHO. It’s extremely difficult to break free from narcissists in our lives. And I think there’s a tendency to bandy the word around these days in light of that one fellow. Anyway, I’m touched by your poem. Perhaps that’s because I’m super sensitive and have to have a good talking to w/ myself often. I really like the repetition framing the first and last verses. The part I’m really fixated on, however, is the contrast between *her* service to others and obvious neglect at home. Lots to think about here. Fantastic, provocative poem.
Sarah,
I love how you frame this poem, starting and ending with the idea of your mom being nurturing at night and not at day.
I think you have managed to pull the positives that you learned, inherited, etc from your mom. You have so many wonderful traits.
Wow, Anna — a powerful opening:
Reflection makes me think
They should think what I want them to think
It may be our greatest lesson today – to refrain from hoping others conform to our way of thinking. In some ways, my poem echoes this:
the first fiction
consider
the power of a single plane
to reflect and project
all at once
absorbing every atom of matter
—even the ugly
consider
the first fiction
we reflect on the reflection
project what is not seen
embracing Frankel’s wisdom
a momentary choice
a space in between
consider
the power to pause
gather the pieces
re-puzzle them
make of them a gift
turn what is not into what is
what could be
gift beauty back into the world
Patricia,
I loved following this stream of reflections and then the “first fiction” stanza hit me hard as in the “what is not seen.” I am not sure about the Frankel allusion and wonder if this is Viktor Frankel, the existentialism. Apt, indeed.
And this closing “gift beauty back” is profound.
Sarah
Patricia, this is a weighty poem. So much to consider, as you have told us with that powerful repeating “consider.” That last line is so rich. Thank you.
Patricia, the lines that speak so powerfully to me are
consider
the power to pause
gather the pieces
re-puzzle them
make of them a gift
turn what is not into what is
what could be
This almost seems contradictory – turn was is not into what is – but somehow reading, reflecting, discussing and writing about literature seems to do this for us.
Thanks for sharing.
Hi Anna! Wow, how exciting that you have published a lot of your work! Congratulations! I aspire to write more as I am preparing to retire from teaching in a couple years. I love the idea of reflecting on what works and what students get excited about throughout the school year, and then using that to project and make things better the next year. I am now starting my 19th year of teaching middle school. Next year, we will have a big curriculum change at my school, so I am a bit apprehensive, but know that I can and still will slide in some of my favorite lessons. I also have transitioned to teaching online, which is a bit more challenging to get to know the kids. At the end of the year, I always relish their comments.
Reflecting
Step back
Take a breath
You have done your best
Given it your all
Late night grading
Daily guiding
Every comment
Each encouragement
Caring so much
Knowing you are making a difference
Creating the next gen of writers and thinkers.
End of year comments:
“I will miss you”
“I loved your class”
“Best reading teacher ever”
“Thank you for helping me”
This is what sustains me
And keeps me coming back.
Projecting
What should I change?
How can I make things better?
How can I be more engaging?
What are some new strategies?
Good teachers
never stop striving
never stop learning
never stop trying
to figure out new ways
to reach yet another soul
To guide
To direct
To inspire
Another lifelong learner.
Your words echo every great teacher’s heart, Judy. Nurturing students, growth –I don’t think there is a greater vocation. Thank you for your reflection and projection!
Judy,
Congrats on 19 years and sending comfort for what’s ahead with the curriculum changes. I was just looking at a picture of us from the Summit a few years ago. You are lovely.
And this poem is great. The “never stop striving/never stop learning/never stop trying” — yes, yes, yes. So many summers I want to give up because the hardest part about teaching for me is gathering the strength to start a new year. Your advice is so wise.
Sarah
Judy, nice poem pairing here. I like the format of your poem, especially the three “never” lines, with “never stop trying” then followed by a list of positive infinitives. Those comments are sustaining, aren’t they? I am curious that you are teaching online. Is that a post-Covid switch because some students missed this type of learning?
Judy, you’ve captured the essence of the true self-reflective practitioner … love this poem. We are indeed lifelong learners. We learn from the students as much as they learn from us. I got odd looks in a PD session when I said that once, but it’s true. As to big curriculum changes (from your intro) – we’ve endured that here in my neck of the woods, too, and it’s been tough, but over time the district leaders say that the curriculum isn’t magic, it’s what we (teachers) do with it. I am pinning my hopes on that – and on truly knowing the students.
Judy, I think you’ve answered your own question about working with new curriculum next year:
consider
the power to pause
gather the pieces
re-puzzle them
make of them a gift
turn what is not into what is
what could be
Post this poem where you can see it, or add it to a calendar app that repeats messages periodically. This attitude will see you through to do what you aspire as mentioned in your closing lines.
To guide
To direct
To inspire
We’ll be supporting you in our thoughts and prayers. And look forward to seeing your progress as to join us here on OPEN WRITE during the new school year.
Now, I may be
projecting
but it seems
to me
a great deal
of good
would
come from
having
fledgling
teachers
take a turn
walking
the boards
strutting and
fretting an hour
upon the stage
(for we are,
all of us,
merely
players)
and it
seems to me
this simple act
this simple request
would go a long way
with helping them
follow directions,
practice impact
and intention
to perfect
collaborations
and hone listening
skills, to harness
introspection
and reflection,
producing a much
needed protection
when projecting
to students
and staff
and parents
it just
seems
to me
an intro
to acting
class
would be
a much
better
use
of their
time
than,
say,
an ACT/SAT
Prep class
would
any day
of the
week
______________________________________________
Thank you, Anna, for your mentor poem and your invitation to ruminate on “Reflection” and “Projection” today. My brain went to “project,” as in “speak loud enough for the back row, the cheap seats,” and that led me to my offering today. (Now, granted, it’s been a long time since I’ve been in Teacher School, lol, but I remember having to learn about different types of borders for my bulletin boards and how to clean an overhead projector, [which are certainly both important lessons], but I didn’t have to take a speech class or acting class for my course work before jumping into my student teaching. And since public speaking still makes the list of “top fears” and, as of late it seems, some of my students would rather not even participate in Socratic Circles, I fear that this fear isn’t going away any time soon….)
Love this idea, Scott. Intro to acting. When I first started teaching, I thought introduction to social work was needed (as I was a social worker before teaching). Now, I see the many roles (wink) teachers play and how we really need to be able to step in and out of them like a pro. Yes, acting. I can get behind this, though I would be super nervous.
Peace,
Sarah
Bravo, Scott! I think it should be part of teacher prep too. I have a story about that. When I was an undergrad, I had to read a pass an assessment of sorts. I have to read a story to someone in the theatre department (I think? of maybe English?). They recommended I take a storytelling class. What would have been better for a future elementary teacher? Instead, like my other peers who didn’t pass, we went to our advisor, and they signed off on it. Why did we go through that process, who knows? They should have just made it a mandatory course, or better yet, make acting mandatory, as you suggest. I like the shape of your poem today with the rolling hills in the middle.
Indeed – storytelling and read alouds, done well, are performances!
Scott, my husband likes to say how stats indicate that more people are afraid of public speaking than they are of dying. And how I loved finding lines from my favorite soliloquy strutting and fretting their hour upon the stage, or rather, here in your poem (and then is heard no more… sigh). I started college as a theater arts major, performing onstage. It helps, honest-to-goodness, to be able to use one’s stage voice at times. And also to allow students to walk aloud as another character for awhile. I vote YEA all the way for acting class! Your poem needs a prominent place on the walls of that classroom. I want to be there myself.
Scott, the issue is not fear; it is failing to act. As long as you continue to strive for better and stay tuned here on OPENWRITE, the music of success will have you bopping across the stage in ways that students soon join you, and you won’t feel you must be the sage on the stage.
You’ll find you’ll be just as effective as the coach from the side, watching the students glide and stride with pride in what they are learning with you. They may be popping and bopping, singing and stomping, but as long as they are on key, you’ll get through the “song of a school” year and end with a rousing round of applause.
Anna, thank you for your prompt. Summer is always a good time to reflect and project for teachers. I appreciated your poem about knowing how to pronounce names. “Now, who’s gonna help me get them right?” I always appreciated those who patiently helped me learn the names when I was teaching in a different country. I enjoyed exploring the synonym lists today.
Let’s Be Better
Recalling the
Umbrage with which you
Make known your faith:
Is God so angry and
No longer willing to confer?
A just, loving God
Transferred all
Infallibility to
Only you? No, I think you do
Not really believe that either.
Recent ruminations have
Explored my
Capacity for holding the
Knowledge of the raggedness
Of our fear to take up trauma.
Nevertheless,
“I can do hard things.”
Now I choose to take the risk to
Grapple with those fears.
Denise, your poem speaks to some of the hardest things about being a teacher – really connecting with your students beyond the textbook. Your comment, “I can do hard things” really speaks to the neverending role of a teacher – mother (or father) figure, counselor, cheerleader. Kids have so much angst these days due to social media, and they are just trying to find a safe space for their thoughts and feelings. Teachers can be this safe space if we just start our day with prayer and let go of our fears. Thank you for this reminder.
Denise! I love the choice of synonyms you played with… the truth that can bubble forward when ruminating and the humility that can result are both great gifts. I love “infallibility to/only you? No, I think you do/not really believe that either.” The voice of conscience is so powerful.
Woah, Denise. Reckoning. That is a word. And “Knowledge of the raggedness” — that is a line to swim in. And then the courage in the final G, that “Grapple with those fears” is, indeed, a reckoning. You have me pondering what I am feeling so that I can name it. Is it fear that the raggedness is covering. Hmm.
Thanks for this poem today,
Denise.
Denise, I love these terms “rumination” and “reckoning.” How splendidly you spin them here in your acrostics (a form I love – almost wrote one myself but was pulled in a different direction). Questions in poems are powerful – here, that God is too angry to confer and that a just and loving God would transfer all infallibility to a person who makes confessions of faith with such umbrage-? Of course not, but it begs much to rumination, indeed…and then the reckoning, finding courage to do hard things/facing fears.I am reminded that true courage (or bravery) isn’t acting without fear, it’s acting despite it. So much of life is exactly this grappling. So well done, my friend.
Anna, what a wonderful invitation to reflect and project today, to regroup and think anew about the school year to come. Your poem about getting students’ names right is right on -it’s a vital part of honoring them for who they are, at the heart of their identity. It’s the beginning of the relationship… all of these ideas swirled in my head as I began to compose today. It just so happens that I will have a new role at school year. I hope my collection of thoughts in response to your invitation counts as a prose poem. Thanks so much for the inspiration!
For Love of Reading
Reading and writing were the great loves
of my childhood…for birthdays and Christmas,
I wanted books. And more books. I never thought
about them as keys to unlock life’s doors. In retrospect
I see that books were my lifeline, keeping me afloat
in a muddy sea of existence. I would read and find myself
in another world, another life. I didn’t think about reading
amassing riches in my mind. My family didn’t have wealth
but I was rich, rich, rich in books. They were my
greatest treasures.
I never planned to be a reading teacher. I didn’t pursue
the vocation; it pursued me. My professional role changes
every year depending on funding and the current trend
for helping children learn to read. For many, the struggle
is great. The battles waged by the Educational-Powers-That-Be
are great. Year to year the sands shift, the tides of research turn,
blame is passed, and verbal artillery is fired. I have served in ranks
wearing armor that didn’t fit me, using approaches
that didn’t dovetail with desired outcomes…
furthermore, we are not talking about war.
We are talking about what children need.
Every so often, the winds of war abate and through the smoke
blows a bit of fresh breeze. Let us name it Opportunity.
It comes offering me a chance to recruit volunteers
from the community to come read with students.
It comes with a whole new library that I inventoried and archived
in preparation for next fall, a wealth of beautiful books
that are windows and mirrors for our young students to pick from
with their volunteer readers. It comes with taking donations of books
to give to students, to keep at home. It comes with redecorating
a neglected space in the building, with an astounding gift
of bright new seating from the PTA, to make this place special
for our students. This is a sacred space. Here people will give of themselves
to others, here relationships and lives will be built, here love will be born…
My reading soul rejoices.
Oh, my, Fran! I think you are doing all these great things not just for the love of reading, but for the love of children, the immense love for humanity. If we have more passionate people like you, we have hope. You make the spaces sacred with your loving touch. Thank you!
Fran, what a beautiful prose poem. I like how it is divided into three sections. Here are my favorite from each:
Hooray for the fresh breezes blowing for you this year.
Fran, this is a precious testament to the power of books and relationships in our lives. What a monumental moment you celebrate! The books you treasured as a child, the gift of reading and knowing other people and places, those are the seeds of legacy – – you are carrying on and giving the best gift possible! I’m loving the prose poem feel of this form today.
Thank you, Anna, for inviting us to reflect and write. Thank you for the reminder to
And, yes, those names are so important.
Today’s my birthday, always a good time to reflect.
Relearning
Fifty-five spins around
learning, forgetting, and relearning
to take risks
to try when unsure
to go upside down
to ask for help—
even, and especially, when that is hard
to walk, cycle, swim, climb
to rest in savasana and legs up the wall
to ride the long way to work
to roll out muscles and fascia
to watch Woman on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown in May
to watch the birds
to (almost) always go to weddings and funerals
to ask, in different ways, How are you feeling today?
to share fears and pain and good news
to write poetry
to draw
to embrace Wabi Sabi
and, most of all,
to always
be grateful
for all
the love
beauty
and strangeness
Sharon, truth! I’m high-five’ing your embracing of Wabi Sabi and gratitude for all the love, beauty and strangeness of life. Happy Birthday! I hope you have a slice of amazing cake somewhere completely unique and savor every delicious bite.
Happy Day to you, Sharon!
Kevin
Happy Birthday, Sharon! This is the best way to celebrate – reflecting and embracing yourself. All the things you are relearning are impressive; you sound so active! I love the concluding lines of gratitude. Enjoy today and your new life cycle ahead!
Learning really is a lifelong journey, Sharon – and gratitude brings all the awe and beauty to the forefront, as you say so well in your conclusion. I sometimes think the more I learn, the less I know… there is so much strangeness. Even in that, beauty can be found. As for birds… I will never tire of watching them. I just came in, just now, from putting a birdbath out in the shade for them. Love all of your reflections here.
Oh – and happiest birthday to you!
Anna, thank you for hosting us today and investing in us as writers. You bring such power in reflection. If there is one part of teaching I believe is most underused and overlooked, it’s reflection. What worked, what didn’t work, what needs to change, what needs to begin…all those questions. I’m having a working retreat today doing all of this with my new colleagues now that our district has had some shifts and the work roles have changed. We’re reorienting, so this poem comes eerily close to the moments ahead in my work day. Ah, but first – – I get to enjoy thirty four days off for summer, and I’m ready!! Your poem today reminds us that the planning can happen once the reflection does and that names are so important. I’ll be learning a few new ones myself.
Almost There
glancing backward to focus forward
setting the sails on this boat
checking wind direction
untying the ropes
feeling the breeze
smiling now
almost
there
Kim, whether I read and interpret your poem literally where the speaker is a sailor, or metaphorically, where the speaker might be anyone (hint: educator), you (the speaker) sound as seasoned, wise, and knowledgeable. It seems “glancing backward to focus forward” is one of the best approaches, especially in teaching. Love all the action words you use to outline your moves in the poem, and its form is perfect to focus readers attention on the goal “there.” Enjoy your thirty four days doing things you love!
The sweet, salt-tinged taste of freedom – I so I hope you enjoy your time off, Kim! Your images are so clear that I feel I’m beside you in this vessel, helping with ropes and sails…
Kim, your extended metaphor of sailing on a boat evokes such images of a school year. The close lines, however, let us know it’s never finished.
smiling now
almost
there
There usually is one student whose progress we could describe as “almost there.” But we smile because, as we reflect, we can see how far that student has come, and as we project, we realize that young person feels confident in learning and will be ready for the challenges of the upcoming year.
And, we’ll get to start all over again!
Keep up the good work
Kim, I love the extended metaphor you’ve crafted! And I wish you luck weathering your sea changes at work! Here’s to you and your colleagues getting your sea legs quickly!
Thank you, Anna, for this fine prompt. I’m moving classrooms for the first time in many years so the “reflection” of the prompt stuck with me a big. Packing everything up (and throwing stuff away) has been the focus of the last week.
Kevin
Boxes, packed
with papers,
books, pens,
notes, plans
In August,
I hope to better
understand where
things have gone
For now,
I’m on
the surface of
the mirror,
skating in the
remembering
Not yet
imagining the space
taking shape
only in my mind,
for some future time
Kevin, change!!! I love change! Getting to do something new, seeing a different space and creating a new vision! It feels good to clean out, to start fresh. I like your way of saying this – – skating in the remembering. That word brings back the memories of circling the rink on a Friday night, disco ball overhead shining fun lights and movement, the kinds of memories that are the most vivid. We take the best, don’t we? Skating. What a great word!
Kevin,
This stanza delighted me:
I hope you enjoy the changes your new classroom brings.
Kevin,
I haven’t moved classrooms in over 25 years so my plan is to move for retirement. Otherwise, I don’t think I would ever finish packing. 🤣🤣
Your poem brings a calm that I wasn’t expecting to feel in your process of moving. I especially enjoyed these lines because I can hear myself saying “Where have the markers gone!?”
I am sure you will feel a new sense of order and accomplishment in August!
Enjoy your summer, Kevin.🤩
Wishing you well in your new space. Remember, it’s just a place. You tend it and nurture what grows there!
You’ll be just fine!