Here is a short, beautiful poem accompanied by an equally touching picture of hope.
From Earth, Fire and Water by William Butler Yeats
Today, an interesting thing happened. All three grades are at key points in Science. The Grade 8 class was learning and applying the equation for density. They were completing a worksheet, but got bogged down with the equation when it was not straightforward and had to think algebraically. I was moving between the Grade 7 and 9 tables and looked up. There was a colleague who had stopped by on her day off helping the Grade 8 students and the parent helper. I had not asked for help; it arrived in the quiet and I thought of this poem.
We can make our own minds so like still water
that beings gather about us that they may see,
it may be, their own images,
and so live for a moment with a clearer,
perhaps even with a fiercer life
because of our quiet.
A nice sentiment for Thursday morning.
taking steep steps
through shallow waters
i find my dignity
REM sleep
batting eyelashes
new scenes presiding
firm mattress flips out the guy
transforms him into a flying man
with plot-ripe intentions
a future superhero
who lacerates all previously-written scripts
from now on
it’s high concept all the way
new scene:
he pulls you along through the marigolds
by mary ann blinkhorn
written for Three Word Wednesday at http://www.threewordwednesday.com/
Two Toasts by Parker Palmer
I find it interesting how when we need something to help us it falls into our laps or our Facebook folder. Parker Palmer is one of my favourite authors and thinkers. He is also a very good poet. I needed this poem today. It was not busy, but I sensed I needed quiet and space to let the words form. I began a 24 hour run with three meetings scheduled and spent most of my day in front of the computer completing ‘necessary paperwork’. I felt fried at the end of the day and, as I drove home, I thought of this wonderful poem that Parker Palmer shared on Facebook. It calmed me and I found myself at peace at the various lights and stops on the way home.
.
30 Dr. Seuss Quotes That Can Change Your Life
You can always find great philosophy for life in Dr. Seuss. I like number 6.
The Soul’s Choice
It was cool, rainy, and windy at times today. We are going to go through a couple of days of below seasonal and bounce back on the weekend. Today, a new parent was the parent-helper. She did a wonderful job and told me how much her child was enjoying our little corner of paradise. It warmed the heart on a dreary day.
The day broke
Cool and wet
Grey.
Able to dampen one’s spirit;
If allowed–
And let the dull prevail.
A glow emerged
Warmth radiates
Revealed in community.
In communal spirit
Discover my world
Leads me forward.
An excellent thought on Tuesday; we need to live in community and allow our boundaries to be permeable.
“…community cannot feed for long on itself; it can only flourish where always the boundaries are giving way to the coming of others from beyond them — unknown and undiscovered brothers.”
by Howard Thurman from The Search For Common Ground; An Inquiry Into The Basis Of Man’s Experience Of Community. (1971, page 104)
October
I am sitting and looking out the window at a hard rain coming down. I am really uncertain how I will make it to my car in my shorts and t-shirt. Despite that it is still 18 C0 in Edmonton, but it is October and there is a risk of wet snow tonight. Early today, it was quite pleasant, sunny, and, as one student put it, it changed quite suddenly.
October arrives
Softly whispers reminders
Thank and share.
Harvest gathered
Bounty stored
The hearth calls.
Gather as one
Hands joined; heads bowed
Pray as one.
I out waited the rain. It has stopped momentarily
What a great thought to begin the week with.
Fall’s Sabbath Song
Snow flurries and seasonal temperatures could arrive next week. Even today, we are about 50 C above seasonal. Fall is a wonderful time with colours changing and signaling nature’s dormancy, a time of rest.
As I walked the river valley, I noticed the smell of decay. It was rich and hastened in the unusual warmth of September, but with shortened days the dampness of dew stayed as well.
I walk slowly
Absorb the valley
It touches me in many ways.
Swaths of colour
Deftly applied
By unseen master artist.
Pungent decay
Fills the air
Feeds the soil.
Leaves gently descend
Listen close
A mere whisper.
Nature’s dormancy too quietly descends
A rest time
Prepare for the next planting.
ivonprefontaine
Teacher as Transformer 