Bites and Pieces

somewhere between the data crunch
 that swallows all planning time,
 the tech issues that chew up a third of every class,
 the common planning that gnaws into bitching about work,
 emailing counsellors about kids who’ve bitten off more than they can chew,
 grading grammar that nibbles away time with my own kids…
 
 there’s a teacher waiting,
 the entrée of this piecemeal,
 ready to share the most delectable taste
 of what this world asks and offers.
 
 
 

Turning Ten

weekend of parties
 (double digits come just once)
 baby’s growing up
 
 

First Day of Middle School

gone far too quickly
 are my two little chickies
 growing up too fast
 
 

Lost and Found

you couldn’t steal this:
 ancient homes, history learned,
 survivors by cliff
 

 or these sweet faces
 of my three girls, unafraid
 to face your world
 

 no, you can’t take that;
 my identity’s in words
 found here. not with you.
 

Day Twenty-Nine, Road Trip 2016

End of the road, by the numbers:
 
 Four girls, 6059 miles, 19 states, the nation’s capital, 7 state parks, 7 national monuments, 9 nights of camping, 2 hotels, 1 apartment, 1 beach house, 29 days… We are HOME!! Life is an adventure. Be your own driver!!
 
 

Day Twenty-Eight, Road Trip 2016

waffles fuel our view
 to ride into the sunset
 finding our way home
 
 

Day Twenty-Seven, Road Trip 2016

road trip starts to end
 with wide open river views,
 bridges to cross them
 
 


Kentucky burns bright
 holds together rebel groups
 and holds our heart tight

Day Twenty-Six, Road Trip 2016

Kentucky wins me
 with giant bookstores; ice cream;
 and sweet niece faces
 

 each night a red sun
 to lull us to country sleep
 on our road trip dream
 

Day Twenty-Five, Road Trip 2016

cousin love beats all:
 it spans a small continent
 and breaks the divide
 

Day Twenty-One, Road Trip 2016

a cultural mix
 in language, architecture
 (our country’s center)
 


library of all
 holds too many gems to count
 a sight for sore eyes


best of both worlds:
 fusbol, patatas bravas
 right here in DC
 


best of all worlds:
 my family together, here,
 discovering this.