#VerseLove Day 29, What a Poem Can Do
What a Poem Can Do
A poem cannot rewind time
nor can it repair fractures left unmended;
it cannot gloss over what causes us pain.
But, a poem can reveal new perspectives
cause us to inspect further
those things we love… or hate.
A poem can help us
find our breath,
a refreshed rhythm.
A poem offers us
the permission to
bare our soul to others
who share our pain
and our triumphs,
who hold space.
A poem is not a band aid
nor a panacea,
after all, it is but words.
Nonetheless, a poem
crafted honestly
has unmeasurable power.
#VerseLove Day 24, Found Annotations
This poem is derived from a small number of the annotations I have made in Brené Brown’s book Dare to Lead. At EPIClearners, we are doing a close read and conducting vulnerable conversations about how the concepts apply in teaching and learning environments.
get clear:
whose opinions of you
matter?
seek those who love you,
not despite your imperfections,
but because of them.
seek first to understand
then to be understood.
I am going down this path
same as, and with, you.
let us travel together,
build a map
of love, belonging, and joy
together.
#VerseLove Day 21, When You Need a Break
Dairy Queen
hot, sticky evening air
sun lingering in the sky
breaking from lassitude
smallest in the stroller
another on his bike
you and i, daughter
chatting about all and nothing
wending the familiar path
to the spot a mile away
where all chose
their favorite
ice cream indulgence,
sat on the curb
to race the drips
to the final lick
the return trek home
as the sun slid to sleep
#VerseLove Day 20, What I Didn’t Do
Today’s prompt included reading Burning the Old Year by Naomi Shihab Nye. Much shorter than I expected, it was full of superb imagery. My poem’s title is lifted from one of her stanzas:
So Little Is a Stone
fame, fortune, flamingly fleeting
so little is a stone
today’s news, yesterday’s regrets
so little is a stone
connections with those we love
are the stones worth anchoring
#VerseLove Day 19, How to Be
How to Be Truthful
know your own values
sit with them
try them on for size
validate them
don’t let others’
values replace your own
in every situation
respond with truth
(kindly offered)
even when
your view is unpopular
as time goes on
others will come
respectfully entreating
your counsel
trusting you will
speak honestly,
sincerely,
truthfully
(always kindly)
#VerseLove Day 18, Succinct Truth
#VerseLove Day 17, Choices We Make
Motherhood
Once upon a time…
the beginning to every great fairytale
once upon a time…
I was a solid corporate climber
middle management, respected
even admired by some
comfortable lifestyle
the world was my oyster
once upon a time…
I left that corporate world
to become a stay-at-home mom
by choice, with enthusiasm
once upon a time…
“what do you do [career]?”
“ummm, raise my children”
dead silence
once upon a time…
I lived the ego-diminishing
reality that no one
respected what I chose to do
once upon a time…
I was a mother to young children
who depended on me for everything
who thought I was all-knowing
once upon a time…
those children grew up
now live independent lives
my love and care undiminished
today…
I hope my influence
is felt and appreciated,
that once upon a time…
was the right choice.
#VerseLove Day 16, Tankas
Today’s #verselove prompt was to write in a relaxed Tanka form created by Harryette Mullen in which the 31 syllables of traditional forms are broken into three variable-length lines.
volunteers gathered, shovels in hand
faced with a riotous tangle of lush flora
needing unwoven, prepared for rebirth
in a brief respite of blustery weather
the sun warmed them and blessed their work,
they set their tools down just as rain and wind returned
gathered round a rickety bare table
biting into scrumptious paper-wrapped sandwiches
they celebrated community