Poetry Slam!

So, tonight I competed in the second annual Poetry Slam at the high school. I had so much fun! Sharing wonderful poetry, laughing and reflecting with great people, and being overly animated (aka making a scene)...good times. :) I was thoroughly impressed with the students and their unique voices, and how they so courageously stood in front of their peers to show everyone their thoughts and feelings. Awesome.

Here are the three poems I shared tonight (yeah, you read it right -- I got to the third round!), in the order I shared them. Hope you enjoy.

From Behind the Big Desk

From behind the big desk,

I can see you texting.

From behind the big desk,

I can see you doodling on your notes.

From behind the big desk,

I can see you typing notes on the graphing calculator and showing your friends.

From behind the big desk,

I can see your mouth move as you “don’t talk” to your friend across the room.

From behind the big desk,

I know I’m not the only teacher who asks for your ID.

From behind the big desk,

sometimes you hurt my feelings.

From behind the big desk,

sometimes I can’t wait for the weekend, either.

From behind the big desk,

sometimes 809 is the last place I want to be, too, but I’m still working.

From behind the big desk,

sometimes I can’t wait until you graduate, too.

From behind the big desk,

I can see when it doesn’t make sense,

and I do all I can to reach out to help you,

but I need you to reach back,

to bridge the gap between you and me, behind the big desk.

What I Want for You

Four times now,

I’ve stood before 100+ students

for the first time,

their names still crisp on the Skyward roster,

my voice steady, poorly camouflaging my butterflies.

Four times now,

these students have become my kids,

Mine.

Some like me; some don’t. That’s not required.

Over nine months or so,

we get to know one another, the good and the bad,

and the crazy woman up front

develops not only expectations for you –

but hopes for you as well.

This is what I want for you:

To know how nice it feels to hear someone genuinely ask how you are today.

To learn how you’re wired, so that you can use your strengths and improve your weaknesses.

To always, always, know there is room to improve, to grow.

To live life full of joy and find ways to pass it on.

To respect everyone, even (perhaps especially) those you don’t like.

To realize you are more than capable of success, and to see that the effort really is worth it.

To find your passion, what makes you want to get up every morning, just as I have found mine.

 

Ode to Spell Check

How I love thee

When I write letters to send home to parents

And emails to my boss.

How I wish, though, that you could recognize my dyslexia

And tell me when I’ve typed “put” instead of “but.”