Her head is litteredwith poetic debris – random shrapnel of thoughtsthe daily barrage of metaphorthat obscures her vision: the cairn of rocks from her nature walkhow trees grow through fences (and how they’re like some teachers)the many places where she stores her ideashow grief attracts more attention than joythe waiting-for of lilacsthe student who opensContinue reading “Poetry Month Day 19: Litter-ati”
Author Archives: Lainie Levin
Poetry Month Day 18: Poem
Today is a Sunday. Which is traditionally my Sunday Sit-Down day. But it is also April 18. So today, Sunday Sit-down will have to take a proverbial back seat. Six years ago today, I was with my husband, enjoying a beautiful spring day while working the hostas in the garden. I received a phone callContinue reading “Poetry Month Day 18: Poem”
Poetry Month Day 17: Faking It
Here’s another poem I’ve brought out from the dusty corners. I remember when I wrote this, and everything about this writing hummed along until I got. To. One. Line. I worked and reworked and reworked, and put the whole darn thing away because I couldn’t get the right word. I STILL don’t have the exactContinue reading “Poetry Month Day 17: Faking It”
Poetry Month Day 16: Seasons
Found this poem, incomplete, in my notes. I had started with the seasons and their respective nouns, and I had toyed with the haiku structure but never quite reached satisfaction on the stanzas. Still can’t say that I have, but I’m ready to let this one make its way into the world. Summer: looseningA relaxingContinue reading “Poetry Month Day 16: Seasons”
Poetry Month Day 15: Investment
When I was ten,my grandma-from-Californiapaid for me to have piano lessonsand whenever she came in town she’d sit me down at the piano bench and say “Well, let’s hear my investment,”and I’d playAnd most often she would nod and smileas I playedbecause I sure did practicebecause she needed to get her money’s worth And thenContinue reading “Poetry Month Day 15: Investment”
Poetry Month Day 14: What They Wrote
Want to write? i saidWant a space where you’re read? i saidThen come with me i saidYou can blog like me i saidHere are some ideas i saidYou can take them or do other things i said And then they cameThey bloggedThey took some ideasAnd they did other things like: A journaling of a day,Continue reading “Poetry Month Day 14: What They Wrote”
Poetry Month Day 13: A Win for Standardized Testing
*Special thanks to S.T., whose gratitude for her time together with classmates together inspired today’s poem Dear Standardized Testing, Thank you. Thank you for bringing me these loveys – Thank you for bringing me these loveys – these loveys who miss one another Thank you for bringing me these loveys – these loveys who missContinue reading “Poetry Month Day 13: A Win for Standardized Testing”
Poetry Month Day 12: Why There’s No Poem Today
I was way too tired at the end of the dayfrom running around as the human pawnin a Nintendo game,and I AIN’T FEELIN’ IT. I ran out of good words to stringtogether by ten a.m. andran on fumes ever since then,so I AIN’T FEELIN’ IT. I know that writing is the best wayto express allContinue reading “Poetry Month Day 12: Why There’s No Poem Today”
Sunday Sit-Down #13: All The World
Each Sunday, I’m working my way through my experiences with race. I’ll share stories and memories from throughout my life. I know I’ll encounter moments of growth that I wish I could relive. I’ll also have to think back on choices that I wish I could remake. Come join me each week. All the worldContinue reading “Sunday Sit-Down #13: All The World”
Poetry Month Day 10: The Work is Great
Today, I had the privilege of working again with other leaders from my Just Schools Cohort. Together, we’re working across districts to advance equity and justice in schools. This team of professionals…they’re amazing. And even on days where I feel discouraged about my own work, and my own progress, they are there to remind meContinue reading “Poetry Month Day 10: The Work is Great”
Soapbox: The Way I see Things 