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Thursday, December 11, 2014

Poetry Friday Appreciating

        Paul Hankins, at These 4 Corners, is hosting us on Poetry Friday today. Thanks Paul!



            I'm back in the classroom again, have written a number of times about it, the pleasure of being with students all day, and the challenges of moving into the rhythm of teaching full time again. Today, I'd like to share my writing with students about a perfect morning. 
Best view in the school. 


Glad To Be Back

Mozart helps us nestle--
contented students.
Gray clouds hover outside,
sleet spits at the windows;
small murmurings and
brain clouds float inside.
A chair scrapes. Someone coughs.
A student sighs; I wonder why. 
They sit at computers,
fingers tapping.
Others journal,
pencils scratching.
Quiet voices wing in from the hall:
“Hey, great to see you, how are you all?”
Time to move, and re-sharpen pencils
for workshop gathering at the carpet.
Sharing words, sharing dreams.
Everyone's still thinking hard,

even before lunch.
Linda Baie ©All Rights Reserved

30 comments:

  1. Nice to hear you're back in the classroom and enjoying it, Linda! Love those "small murmurings and brain clouds" :).

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    1. Love that you love those, Jama. I know you mean the poem, but I love the real sounds, too!

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  2. [Jama took my favorite line.] You have a way of transporting us right there! Glad to know all that learning and creating is in full swing. And that view outside - glorious.
    Stay warm and cozy!

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    1. Thanks, Robyn, it's been a pleasure so far. Teaching has ups & downs, of course, but I know it'll mostly be okay.

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  3. Oh what a glorious learning environment you have shared with us today, Linda! I love the line: "Quiet voices wing in from the hall". Your students are very lucky to have you.

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    1. Thanks Bridget, lunch almost over, so I hear more winging voices! Glad you liked that part!

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  4. Wonderful sound imagery in your poem, Linda. I love the quiet moments of pencils scratching, sighs, and weather tapping on the window.

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  5. "Brain clouds float inside" is exquisite.
    I have read this 3 times now.
    I too am wondering about that student's sigh...
    Thunderstruck by the potential in the wide world for this Linda.
    This beautiful poem is the kind of transportive moment that ends up between the covers. I hope you return to this one.
    Appreciations for your being in the classroom, for having the intuitive touch that I feel from these words & for your creating this poem.

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    1. Thanks, Jan, it was truly an 'in the moment' poem.

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  6. I feel like I'm right there - probably because I've BEEN there! Good job.

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    1. Thank you, Matt. Nice to hear you 'saw' the picture from another time.

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  7. Hope your students know how lucky they are to have as their teacher someone who plays Mozart, who notices the small details of the morning, who hears the pencils scratch and hears someone sigh....a teacher who writes poetry! Lovely photo, too...is that actually a view out the school window? That is mesmerizing.

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    1. Yes, Julie, it is the view by my desk. It brings me lots of happy moments. Thanks!

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  8. Lovely to visit your classroom through your poem!

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  9. When we're in it everyday, I don't think we appreciate it until there has been some time away. My students are full of beans so close to Christmas. I am ready for a break.

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    1. I know how you feel, but we have many traditions to do next week first, then off on Thursday. Have a happy week Margaret.

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  10. Linda, thanks for sharing a snapshot of your classroom. I just felt a focused hum during your workshop. I hope your new journey is going well, they always take so much time.

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    1. You're welcome, Mandy, & yes, it seems that every day I remember more things that I need to do. Time-fleeting...

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  11. I don't think I will ever walk into a classroom again without thinking of "brain clouds." Thank you for this beautiful line. I'd love to come visit your classroom sometime…

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    1. Thanks, Carol, some days there are "brain clouds", other days, not so much, like every class. I'd love to have you visit sometime.

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  12. I like how this poem conveys both quietness and activity. It doesn't have to be loud for things to be happening!

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    1. So true, Tabatha. There was quite a bit happening!

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  13. A wonderful snapshot of your classroom and your writers!

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  14. Loved the view from your school, Linda, and that peek into your classroom, exactly how I would imagine it:

    Sharing words, sharing dreams.
    Everyone's still thinking hard,

    even before lunch.

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  15. I love this too!
    "Gray clouds hover outside,
    sleet spits at the windows;
    small murmurings and
    brain clouds float inside."

    Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Thank you for stopping by, Penny. I'm happy you enjoyed this.

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