always a mumbling chatter
seventeen languages, syllables mixed
small laughs and shout outs,
“Miss, Miss, Miss, MISS!”
bright, toothy smiles
eyes searching for answers
pencils searching for English words
tongues at a loss
sun rays bring in yellow light
on a room of dark-haired heads
and headscarves of every color
(peace in the making)
always asking questions
“Miss, Miss, Miss MISS!!”
what i hear as i fall asleep
my name chopped to one syllable
quit or try harder?
plague of my life sits waiting
under setting sun
my daughters beg me
for a morning to see them
(no more predawn work)
i try exercise
to beg love for the body
that i lost for them
i give up dairy
and drinking; saying bad things;
but it’s not enough
time swallowed by plans
i will never quite finish
(and ungraded work)
i beg clarity
from my second (lost) language,
for tongue-trapped escape
but it’s not enough
to find that pivotal time
lost in the shuffle
i beg forgiveness
from the self i promised me
twenty years ago
i hope i find it
hidden in filtered sun rays
that trickle through time
sometimes a pink sky
on the way to ice skating
is all a day needs
a draining Tuesday
ended by some belly laughs
for all kids: theirs, mine.
i need more of this:
finding joy in small moments
(not letting them go)
vocab sign contests,
impromptu snowball battles:
a winter day won.
post-Super Bowl meal:
throw all leftovers in pan.
heat. Monday served up.
yes, the Broncos won.
but Rio overcame fear:
the true victory.
art museum fun
with friends who are leaving us
for warmer climates
finally carved time
for (drink-free) happy hour
(where laughter matters)
i want this time back:
three still-young girls, a castle
(Portuguese heaven)
how can one class change
from angels to demons, stat!
during one school day?
life of a teacher
defined by hard moments
that can’t be managed
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