This Is Just To Say*

I have turned in
the paper
that was for
my class

and which
you were probably
wondering
when I’d finish

Congratulate me
it was my last one
so happy
and so done

*after William Carlos Williams

Yes, today I hit “send” on the final term paper of my second graduate school degree. And while I wasn’t originally planning on making it the subject of today’s Slice of Life challenge, I realized that perhaps it was okay to take a moment to celebrate the end of a really, really, REALLY long slog.

And I felt like this poem, and the structure of it, was just enough for me to capture what I’m feeling about it. I’m not jumping up and down in excitement about it, but right now I’d rather offer myself one small corner of satisfaction.

And relief.

And closure.

Published by Lainie Levin

Mom of two, full-time teacher, wife, daughter, sister, friend, and holder of a very full plate

17 thoughts on “This Is Just To Say*

  1. HOORAY!! Congratulations on your SECOND grad school degree! Holy moly, I applaud you. Your slice is perfect, I can feel your sigh of relief in your last stanza.

    1. Thanks! This one was also exclusively online – which tests every last one of my academic weaknesses. So it was a victory, for sure!

  2. Terrific!!Congrats on your second grad school degree. Definitely a cause to celebrate. I will have a brownie and a cup of coffee in a bit and toast your accomplishment.

  3. Congratulations – and the only word that comes to mind is AMAZING. You sliced every day in March even as we went to remote teaching… your commitment to STILL writing each day … your teaching in general … your grad degree … are you sure you aren’t clones?? Do you have a time-turner like Hermione?? I am in awe of your extraordinary multitasking ability. Not to mention your endless creativity. So happy for you! Hope you will find a creative way to celebrate. 🙂

    1. Thanks, Fran! I have a reputation for biting off more than I should chew…which leads me to today’s blog post.

      I only wish I had magic powers. Although…have you ever read Peter Reynold’s “So Few of Me?” It’s a great answer to those of us who wish we COULD clone ourselves.

      1. I haven’t read that work by Reynolds but of course must add it now to my to-be-read list. Still – amazing what you accomplish. Even if you bite off a lot, you manage to get it all swallowed and done!

  4. I love this line: “right now I’d rather offer myself one small corner of satisfaction:–it certainly sounds well deserved! I love your take on the William Carlos Williams poem. The ending is great–“so happy/and so done”.

    1. Thank you! I must admit that I ran into a speed bump on the last stanza. Wasn’t quite sure how to make it translate. But structure and boundaries does often give us a way in to creativity, doesn’t it?

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