Too Many Seconds Missed #VerseLove

Thank you, Allison Berryhill, for the invitation to ponder what I've missed.  This idea was a topic of conversation over drinks with friends last night.  As a teacher, time off does not necessarily match up with the rest of the world.  I feel that I have missed many moments in my children's lives, and it is even harder now that they are adults and off on their own.  

I recently missed Mother's Weekend for my daughter's sorority.  She sent me pictures, attempting to keep me connected, but it hit my heart.  I am going to plan carefully so I can attend next year.  I only have so many more of these "mother" moments.

I missed

a weekend by your side

with your "sisters,"

instead a friend stepped in my place.

I missed 

making bouquet bunches,

our fingers arranging the beautiful blooms

in the same room and not through text.

I missed

too many seconds

because time is a treasure

that is difficult to find with you.

Finding Poetry #VerseLove

Thank you, Dave, for the invitation to find some poetry.  I took a page from Kate Quinn's The Alice Network.  I found two poems on two different pages, but this is the one I decided to share.  

That seemed to be the end.

I laid my head back,

the moon slid over the window--

I blinked.

My face

managed to 

gather 

the raw shocking night.

It was real--

just true horror,

but I didn't have any more tears.

I'm Prime for Vacation Time #Verselove

Thank you, Erica Johnson, for today's prime number inspiration.  I am counting the days until vacation time.  

Breathing 

in and out

biding time until

ocean waves envelop me

and carry the heaviness out to the sea 

Science in Verse #VerseLove

Thank you, Brittany Saulnier, for the invitation to bring some science knowledge and learning into poetry form.  A few years ago, I thought my tree was dying.  I saw a light green substance covering the bark, and the tree was dropping its leaves so much earlier than other trees.  I took a picture to a local nursery and was told it was lichen.  I spent some time researching, and I think I might have written a poem back then.  

My students are writing tanka and haiku poems in class, so I decided to write a haiku.

Lichen is...

algae and fungi

in a symbiotic dance

protector of trees

Sijo Struggles #VerseLove

Thank you, Barb Edler, for the Sijo challenge today.  I have read Linda Sue Park's Tap Dancing on the Roof:  Sijo (Poems) before and love this form, but boy is it hard to write one of my own.  Thursday is my long day, and I am sitting in the library trying my best to put something together.  My head feels like it is in a fog, so that is where I went with my poem.  

Head is pounding from so much pressure; it can't make sense of much
Thoughts scatter, words escape; there's nothing let to formulate
Verse love is not enough for this writer - Sijo allergy

Printed Delights #VerseLove

Thank you, Bryan Crandall, for the invitation to write a Drive-by poem to for someone worthy of a poem.  It was perfect for today.

I have a student who got a 3D printer for Christmas.  I shared that my son had one when he was younger, and I loved the different things he could create.  Since then, the student has created and gift me two of his 3D creations.  Today, I received the second.  I am overwhelmed by his thoughtfulness, and he is certainly deserving of a poem of appreciation.

Printed Delights 

You drop your bag

on the table

and dig for treasures

just for me.

Then, you brandish

a creation made of

carbon fibers

for everyone to see.

My heart lifts

and joy flutters

as I am the lucky one

touched by your generosity.

Where I Am, I Begin #Solace and Connection #SOL

Thank you, Leigh Anne Eck, for the invitation to participate in the Solace and Connection round up.  I need to be more present in nature, and I love writing about what is alive around me.  

I am excited to dive The Curious Nature Guide by Clare Walker Leslie.  I used your prompt to being where I am.

Dancing branches and soaring birds
beneath holes of blue.
A yellow crocus watches
cars rolling by.
Kids chatter
as the sun lowers
and the air cools.

6:36 p.m.,

April 4th,

early spring,

 Shrewsbury, MA

in my front yard

MCASing Away the Day #VerseLove

Thank you, Jennifer Jowett, for the permission to write a poem grammatically ungrammatical.  I really hope my students did not follow this prompt today when writing for the standardized test.  However, I had fun reflecting on their stamina and grit. 

Students MCASed today

Houring through 180 minutes

choosing the bestest letter-

a show of the knowledging 

of the passed year.

Essaying so porfoundly

the reviewers are having to

pick their socks up

so impressed they are.

Mellifluous Words #VerseLove

Thank you, Stacey Joy, for the invitation to write a haiku sonnet about a word that resonates with me.  I am a word nerd, so today's prompt was a bit challenging.  It was difficult for me to pick just one, so I included a few.  You also combined my favorite form (haiku) with the most challenging form (sonnet) for me.  I feel like I am going in circles a bit.  

Mellifluous Words 

Difficult to find,

put together, and convey

the heart's intention

Sing soft secrets to 

the wind and traverse the skies

to find open minds

Pierce the soul, causing

ripples of thoughts that create

eternal changes

Passed unto others-

sanguine and effervescent,

lifting spirits up

Words matter

Mellifluous words spread joy

If We Were Having Coffee Today #VerseLove

 I am participating in Ethical ELA's #Verse Love where we write a poem a day for the entire month of April to celebrate National Poetry Month.  Thank you to Kim Johnson for today's inspiration--Weekend Coffee Share Poem.  

This poem is for all of the writers and teacher writers that have touched my life.  

If We Were Having Coffee or a Diet Coke

If we were having coffee today,

I would stand up to hug you, 

but ask if you were a hugger first;

my excitement would be palpable.

If we were having coffee today,

I'd tell you I've been building

a new nest over the past three years

out of pens, morning pages, slices, and verse.

I'd tell you 

it has been sad and lonely

at times

but your words

are filling the spaces

between the twigs.  

If we were having coffee today, 

I'd say thank you

for this community of writers;

it has changed my life.