Assigned Work: Video Game Writing

So. I committed myself to writing student-assigned topics throughout the month of May. To tell you the truth, I could extend LONG beyond May. The kids had a great time (perhaps TOO good of a time?) coming up with topics they thought I should write, topics they themselves had a tricky time with. Of course,Continue reading “Assigned Work: Video Game Writing”

May Writing Challenge

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. My students are brave and inspiring and amazing – in writing AND in life. So I’m dedicating May to them. I’ve been thinking a lot about how much it takes for them to write, without complaint, WHATEVER it is we throw their way. Every genre, everyContinue reading “May Writing Challenge”

Poetry Month Day 30: Winding Down

All of the tasks about me are stacking upI’ve made and abandoned my to-liststhere is email waiting, work to gradeand please don’t ask about laundryor the comments and the postsOh, to inhale poemAnd exhale reliefAll I need arethe right wordsbut first –sleep Y’all, it’s been a long month. It’s been trying. I’ve been tested inContinue reading “Poetry Month Day 30: Winding Down”

Poetry Month Day 28: There Are Worse Things

than the obvious sources of joy: a box that arrivesout of the bluewith an armful of booksand a brainfull of ideas or a pupper who plays,overjoyedwith absolutelyeverysingle toy she can find(especially when they squeak) the smell of lilacscoming to mein odd wavesas I step out of the caror turn the corner around the block andContinue reading “Poetry Month Day 28: There Are Worse Things”

Poetry Month Day 27: Once Upon A Time

Of the ohsomanysoapboxes I yell from,there’s one that lies at the bottomthe one upon whichall others stand It’s the one I first uncoveredin the dimly-lit museumat the base of the Gateway Archas I listenedraptto the storyteller and I couldn’t even tell youwho it wasand I couldn’t even tell youwhat they toldjustthat I wanted to beContinue reading “Poetry Month Day 27: Once Upon A Time”

Poetry Month Day 21: On Opportunity

They say, sometimes,that when God closes a doorHe opens a window (and yes I know gender is a construct) but what I really want to say is that sometimeswhen God closes a doorwhat’s really meant is for you to stay at home,look around this place and sayheyI kind of like this placemaybe I’ll spruce itContinue reading “Poetry Month Day 21: On Opportunity”

Poetry Month Day 20: On Storage

This poem is also an entry for the Slice of Life weekly writing challenge. Go give them a visit! What do you do with all of your ideas,they wonderedthat you gather during the day? She thought a moment,pursed her lipslooked real hard to her left(as if something were there)then she shrugged her shoulders and said,Continue reading “Poetry Month Day 20: On Storage”

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 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”