Lainie Levin

Lessons I’m Learning

Here I am, two months into my new job. I have to say that it’s already an incredible experience. Of course, a new placement puts me on a learning curve. But quite honestly, I love that about life. I love being challenged and asked to do tricky things. Don’t many of us? Here, then, isContinue reading “Lessons I’m Learning”

On Second Thought (or Third, or Fourth…)

Ugh. So the other night I wrote this post about leaving one position for another. At the time that I wrote it, I thought it was a pretty tight piece of writing, if I must say so myself. Still. I couldn’t help but look back over it and pick back over the words that IContinue reading “On Second Thought (or Third, or Fourth…)”

The Switch

She shouldered her bag and glanced out at the tree, reflecting green in its early June growth. Her mind ticked off a mental checklist. (She was always a lister.) Desk emptied. Car loaded. Keys turned in. One more look around the room to take it all in, to absorb the light reflected from the emotionalContinue reading “The Switch”

In Gratitude

Dear Friday Afternoon Me, Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for being so well organized (AND doing my lesson plans, even). All The Best, Monday Morning Me

The Best (and Hardest) Part of My Day

(overheard in my third grade math group as some kids were trying to put a math problem together from random words and numbers) Them: Mrs. Levin, this is hard! Me: Yep. It is. You’re not complaining, are you? Them: No. Me: Oh good. Because you deserve to have things hard sometimes. (more work, more missingContinue reading “The Best (and Hardest) Part of My Day”

Mother’s Lament (NaPoWriMo Day 9)

I can taste it, Like the first bite of a hot-fudge sundae Or a gooey, cheesy pizza So delightful Rich Decadent, Yet well-deserved. I long for it From deep within my bones I hunger I ache For a Good Night’s Sleep

Why I Don’t Write Limericks (NaPoWriMo Day 7)

Sometimes as a matter of course My thoughts into structure I’ll force In my strong efforts I’ll Replace substance with style (Putting the cart before horse)

Signs of Spring – National Poetry Month Day 6

Signs of Spring The hostas, in hushed whispers Poke their heads from the earth And signal an all-clear The crocus responds Gentle, persistent, Not wishing to interrupt But clear to any who listen And others, in turn, join the crescendo: Daffodil, tulip, forsythia, lilac Silenced, I join the world in The deep, full breath IContinue reading “Signs of Spring – National Poetry Month Day 6”

Do You Remember Me? National Poetry Month, Day 5

Do You Remember Me? You… You, with that faded bonnet, The microscopic handwriting, The comics you drew me, The moldy mess we excavated from your desk, The orange sweatshirt you always wore, The April Fool’s joke you played on the class, How you didn’t speak until February, How your grandma was your rock, How youContinue reading “Do You Remember Me? National Poetry Month, Day 5”

Why I write – Poetry month day 4

Why I Write There is a certain Satisfaction That comes with cooking a good meal. It’s the love stirred in The effort of smelling, tasting, listening, editing Until it seems just right And the hungry ones take it in And where there was once noise There is the quiet Of grateful and appreciative chewing. AndContinue reading “Why I write – Poetry month day 4”