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PF: Maple Tree, Ten Times

This month Linda Mitchell posed our Swagger writing challenge: to write about something seen in many ways. The prompt was to pattern a poem after Pat Schneider’s “The Moon Ten Times,” a poem that sees the moon in many ways. I loved the way this prompt stretched my brain, and I played around with focusing on the wind, a river, winter and a tree. Ultimately, I chose to consider the many ways to see a maple tree.

Maple Tree, Ten Times

  1. Spring reservoir
    sap rising like a song–
    sweet and clear
  1. Wooden cradle
    gently rocking
    newborn birds  
  1. Open air venue:
    Dawn chorus
    performs
  1. Nature’s
    verdant
    parasol
  1. Autumn firecracker
    rocketing branches
    of crimson and gold
  1. Calm eye
    in a swirl 
    of whirligigs
  1. Sky quilter
    sections the blue dome
    into patchwork pieces
  1. Icy wind chime
    glazed limbs flash
    tinkle and clink
  1. Earth’s fingers
    stretch
    trace the clouds
  1. Winter’s needlework
    bold stitches anchor
    sky to earth
  • ©Molly Hogan, draft

To check out what the other Swaggers have done with this challenge, click on their names:

Heidi Mordhorst
Margaret Simon
Linda Mitchell
Catherine Flynn

This week’s Poetry Friday Roundup is hosted by Mary Lee Hahn at her blog, A Year of Reading. She’s sharing a link to NPM projects and the Progressive Poem, and also the first and second poems in her NPM project of creating daily haiku.

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Rabbit

Get the Official Poster | Academy of American Poets

I’ve been toying with the idea of committing to creating my own project for National Poetry Month (NPM). It’s April 1st and I still haven’t decided. One thought I had was to mine my dusty trove of “I’ve been meaning to read or reread that” books and use each one to spark a poem. I thought it would be a great way to dip into those books and explore some new prompts, poets, and processes. It sounded kind of fun and relatively low-key.

I Am Writing a Poem About...: A Game of Poetry: Livingston, Myra Cohn: 9780689811562: Amazon.com: Books

With this idea in mind, I picked up Myra Cohn Livingstone’s “I Am Writing a Poem About…A Game of Poetry”, a book long-ago recommended to me and purchased, and never perused. It’s a collection of poems inspired by word play in one of Livingstone’s master classes of poetry. The first prompt she gave her students was one word: “Rabbit.”

Well, this seemed like a sign. Today is the first of the month, and anyone who has known me for any length of time knows about my obsession for trying to say “Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit” as my first words on the first day of each month. In my family, it’s a way to wish for good luck. (If you’re interested, you can read more about it here and believe me, it’s much harder than it sounds.)

So, I figured I’d write a poem inspired by the word “Rabbit” and just take it day by day. We’ll see what happens along the way!

Rabbit

No rabbits
visit my yard
pausing
nose aquiver at the scent
of clover-drenched lawn
but each month,
as I was taught,
I whisper an early morning
invocation
“Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit.”

Even though
no rabbits appear
and the luck is debatable,
I hear the echoes
of my mother’s and
grandmother’s voices–
a different sort of visitation
and perhaps the one
I was conjuring
all along.

©Molly Hogan
draft

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SOLC Day 31: Done

March 2021 SOLC–Day 31
A huge thank you to Two Writing Teachers for all that they do to create an amazing community of writers and a safe, welcoming space to write, learn, share and grow.
http://www.twowritingteachers.org

Writing the final post of the challenge is, well, challenging. On one hand, I want to reflect on the month past, the process, the growth. On the other hand, I simply want to type, “DONE!” and push “Publish”.

I believe this is my seventh year to finish this challenge, and the end is always filled with big emotions: relief, triumph, sorrow, gratitude. It always feels like I should offer up some profound words of wisdom and insight, but for now, I’m coming up short. Perhaps in the days ahead, I’ll have some space for reflection as the experiences of the month shift and settle. But for now, I know this:

Once again, I hesitated before signing up for this challenge.

Once again, I’m thankful I did.

Once again, I regretted all the posts I didn’t read, or the ones that moved me that I didn’t find time to comment on.

Once again, I was deeply moved by the thoughtful comments that visitors left on my blog. By the time they took to connect.

Once again, I marveled at this writing community, this group of people trying to capture their lives in words, willing to put it out there for others to read.

Once again, I discovered fabulous new-to-me writers and mentors who taught me something every day along the way–about struggle, about writing, about life…

Once again, I flirted with the idea of quitting. And didn’t.

Once again, with this post, I am finishing the challenge, filled with relief, triumph, sorrow and gratitude.

One by one, I type the letters: “d” “o” “n” “e”.

DONE.

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SOLC Day 30: Just Trying to Finish!

March 2021 SOLC–Day 30
A huge thank you to Two Writing Teachers for all that they do to create an amazing community of writers and a safe, welcoming space to write, learn, share and grow.
http://www.twowritingteachers.org

I used to run 5Ks and I remember the common encouraging refrain from spectators as I approached finish lines: “Finish strong!”

I remember trying to rally to their words. Trying to pick up my pace. Trying being the operative word. At that point, I was typically depleted, though still determined to finish. And finish I did. Every time. My pace didn’t increase, but I continued to put one foot in front of the other until finally, I crossed that finish line.

I feel a little bit like that now. Usually at the end of the March challenge I find myself in a groove, finding topics easily, finishing strong. This year, I’m struggling. It’s been hard to keep my mind on the goal. Yesterday, I almost didn’t post. I was willing to quit. But I didn’t.

Weirdly, simultaneously, I also find myself wanting to commit to a personal project for National Poetry Month. You know, the one in April, the coming month. The one that begins the day after this challenge ends. The one that has me asking, “Am I insane!?”

Anyway, today, I went looking for inspiration for a slice or for a project. I glanced through books, looked at unfinished drafts on my blog (156 of them!) and then, I remembered how one year I had constructed a poem from the titles of my e-mails. So, I clicked on the overflowing “Promotions” section of my Inbox, and using bits and pieces of them in order, created a found poem.

Look!
The extravaganza is coming
crepuscular rays
April sharing
Refresh your space!
Full steam ahead to
art in bloom!
How will you celebrate?

Even my Inbox seems to be nudging me along toward a NPM project!

But for now, here I am, moving slowly forward, step by step toward the closest finish line, the one that marks the end of this challenge.

It’s so close now.

Only one day to go.

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SOLC Day 29: Appreciating Nature’s Indifference

March 2021 SOLC–Day 29
A huge thank you to Two Writing Teachers for all that they do to create an amazing community of writers and a safe, welcoming space to write, learn, share and grow.
http://www.twowritingteachers.org

Saturday was a down day. A day to dwell on problems rather than on possibilities. A day when the worst case scenarios seemed like the most likely ones. But when days like this happen, as they do, I’ve learned enough to take myself outside. There I found some things that made me smile–little rays of optimism that pierced my dismal fog.

Soon enough the scilla will bloom and cascade down the hillside, a river of glorious blue.
The layered leaves of the emerging sedum cradle a crystalline drop of rain.
Crocus rejoices in purple blossoms. How can you not smile?

And today, my book summed up my feelings perfectly: “I found nature’s indifference to my cares and concerns oddly consoling. If I ever started sinking into despair, I need only step outdoors and look around at the glorious green world.” Paul Doiron

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SOLC Day 28: Blame it on the birds!

March 2021 SOLC–Day 28
A huge thank you to Two Writing Teachers for all that they do to create an amazing community of writers and a safe, welcoming space to write, learn, share and grow.
http://www.twowritingteachers.org

I’m blaming the birds.

I had every intention of sitting down to write this post first thing this morning, but I kept getting distracted by them–the birds. First, there were the regulars– titmice, nuthatches–both rose-breasted and white, cardinals, blue jays, juncos, hairy, red-bellied and downy woodpeckers, chickadees. But then the finches showed up, flashing their newly golden feathers and I was mesmerized watching them flit and sing. And, Oh, look! The house finches were back, too, sporting their lovely enhanced raspberry hues. What welcome signs of spring!

I tried to turn back to my computer. Honestly, I did. But next, the fox sparrow returned and started doing its scritchscratching dance in the leaves below the wisteria arbor. It was endlessly entertaining to watch its industrious, slightly comic efforts, and even more so when a flock of juncos joined in.

Then, just as I shook my head and settled in to write…a flash of blue! What was that? Not a blue jay… but a blue bird!!

Well, that did it. I could resist the feathered lure no longer. I gave up, grabbed my camera and snuck outside to take some photos.

After a while, I went back inside, sat down, focused, and started writing. But then… What! Another flash of blue!? Oh…it was brighter this time. Sure enough, a male bluebird had arrived! I mean, really, what else could I do?

Out I went again….

And then, oh, my, I swear, right now, just as I was writing this all, just after I attached the picture above, I glanced outside to see the bluebird again, and there it was, something long and dangling in its mouth! Could it be a worm? What a photo op! I jumped up to grab my camera and race outside, recognizing even while doing so that this was precisely the problem!

As I headed out, my husband, who had been aware of both my goal and my distraction, spoke up from the couch.

“There is a simple solution, you know,” he said. “You could pull down the blinds.”

What!? Is he crazy?

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SOLC Day 27: Thank you, Mrs. Minzy!

March 2021 SOLC–Day 27
A huge thank you to Two Writing Teachers for all that they do to create an amazing community of writers and a safe, welcoming space to write, learn, share and grow.
http://www.twowritingteachers.org

Dear Mrs. Minzy,

I imagine you’re surprised to hear from me. I’m not even sure if you’ll remember who I am or who Connor is, but I wanted to send you a long overdue thank you.

More than twenty years after you spoke them, I still remember your words. It was Connor’s Parent Teacher conference. I think it was in Kindergarten, but you also taught him in second grade, so it might have been then. At any rate, Connor was a bit of a chatterbox, and I distinctly remember what you didn’t say and what you did say.

You could have said, “Connor calls out too much.” or “Connor needs reminders not to talk during work time.” I’d bet that on some days, you probably were thinking, “Connor won’t shut up!”

Instead, you said this, “Connor has such strong verbal skills and when he learns to manage them better, they’ll be a huge asset to him.” I remember being so appreciative, as a parent, with how you phrased that. How you saw potential rather than merely problem. It struck me powerfully then, years before I even considered becoming a teacher. Now that I am a teacher, it influences how I communicate with parents every day.

Last week at the end of a parent-teacher conference, a parent said to me, “I just want to thank you so much for seeing X. the way you do and how you see positives behind his behaviors that can drive people crazy.” They should have been thanking you, Mrs. Minzy, and I realized that it’s about time that I do so as well. So thank you, for your role in Connor’s education and for framing your view of him through a positive lens. Thank you for helping me to be a better teacher and probably a better person.

With gratitude,

Molly Hogan

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SOLC Day 26: Just Another Day in 2021

March 2021 SOLC–Day 26
A huge thank you to Two Writing Teachers for all that they do to create an amazing community of writers and a safe, welcoming space to write, learn, share and grow.
http://www.twowritingteachers.org

I thought I was going to write about listening to my students’ conversations in the Google Meet site before morning meeting, when I’m “in” the room, but my video is off as I finish up getting organized. About how my days start with a smile as I listen to their light hearted banter.How they laugh and chatter during breaks. How they crack me up over and over again.

I pondered writing about how this short remote learning stint has gone pretty well. About how much I prefer synchronous teaching to last spring’s video lesson model, even including dealing with technological blips–like losing host control of the Google Meet to one of my students. Multiple times. And about how much I was looking forward to being back at school in person on Tuesday.

I considered writing about the amazing Zoom presentation I attended last night, featuring poet Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer. About how, even after a full day of remote teaching and hours of parent teacher conferences, I still managed to attend and I left feeling energized. Now that truly is amazing.

I still hadn’t decided what I would write about when the text message arrived late this morning. From my principal.

“We have another case in 4th grade. Give me a call.”

Now, the day is over, and I don’t feel much like writing about anything at all.

Our quarantine has been extended through next Friday and I’m awaiting my test results.

I guess that’s really all I needed to write.

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SOLC Day 25 and PF: What a Ride!

March 2021 SOLC–Day 25
A huge thank you to Two Writing Teachers for all that they do to create an amazing community of writers and a safe, welcoming space to write, learn, share and grow.
http://www.twowritingteachers.org

Poetry Friday this week is hosted by Susan Bruck at her blog, Soul Blossom Living. She’s sharing the Kidlitosphere Roundup for National Poetry Month. Make sure to check out this week’s offerings and all the poetic riches on tap for next month!

I just realized something kind of odd. I’m not a movie lover, but when times get a bit turbulent in my life, I often think of that boat scene from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. You know the one, right? I’ve shared it multiple times in past posts, including earlier this week, but here it is again, for context:

What a scene, right!?

I wonder now about my initial reaction to this iconic movie moment. How old was I when I first watched it? Was I scared? Probably. Was I spellbound? No doubt. I picture myself, heart racing, peeking through my fingers at the flashing screen and Gene Wilder’s increasingly crazed visage.

I feel a bit like that now, as I’m navigating a sudden short-term switch to remote learning and this year of pandemic in general–like the unwitting passengers on this boat ride that suddenly takes a turn from fanciful toward bizarre and frightening…

A Wondrous Boat Ride

There’s no earthly way of knowing
Which direction we are going
There’s no knowing where we’re rowing
Or which way the river’s flowing

Is it raining, is it snowing?
Is a hurricane a-blowing?

Not a speck of light is showing
So the danger must be growing
Are the fires of Hell a-glowing?
Is the grisly Reaper mowing?

Yes! The danger must be growing
For the rowers keep on rowing
And they’re certainly not showing
Any signs that they are slowing

by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley

Luckily, these days the rowers do seem to be slowing, and ultimately, Wilder does stop the wild ride. Eventually, all ends well. Well, at least for Charlie and his grandfather.

Still, I think this brilliant poem (and performance) might just be the pandemic theme song.

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SOLC Day 24: Remote Learning Day 1

March 2021 SOLC–Day 24
A huge thank you to Two Writing Teachers for all that they do to create an amazing community of writers and a safe, welcoming space to write, learn, share and grow.
http://www.twowritingteachers.org

Early today I was getting ready for our first day of remote learning. My first hint that things might not go smoothly should have been when I couldn’t air drop a photo from my phone to my computer. At that time, I just figured it was a blip. Something to try again later. I found a different resource. Then, not long afterward, I couldn’t print using wifi. I started getting a little worried. What was going on? I hardwired into the printer and kept prepping. Next, I went to our curriculum site to print out a few resources and …you guessed it…the site wouldn’t come up. This was getting concerning. I kept adjusting my plans along the way, trying to get ready for the start of the day and feeling more than a bit anxious. The portents were ominous.

Finally, the big moment arrived along with all the students for morning meeting. Earlier, I’d sent them a morning message in our Google Classroom stream telling them how much I was looking forward to seeing their maskless faces (a silver lining of remote learning). One by one they came in. And I couldn’t see them. Once there were two or more kids in the room, everyone’s video stopped working and a little message about “network connectivity” popped up.

To clarify, the kids could all see each other but I could only occasionally see one of them. Most of the time, I was looking at a grid of still photos. Thankfully, I had another adult in the room who helped me muddle through. She literally had to act as my eyes as I led students through a flashdrafting lesson. “I’m seeing lots of thumbs up, Mrs. Hogan!” “They’re all busy writing, working hard!”

I finally figured out that if I pinned a student’s photo, their video would pop up. Sometimes. So I could one by one peek at what they were doing. While trying to teach. “Ok! Now you’re ready for the first reason paragraph!” Pin. Peek. Unpin. “Remember, when you add evidence, use a transition. For example, or another example, or one time when…” Pin. Peek. Unpin. It was surreal.

The whole day went this way. In between lessons I rebooted, called my internet provider, and wrote desperate e-mails to our tech support. Then I launched into the next lesson with no idea how my students were responding other than by having them talk or by the interpretive comments of my savior Ed. Tech. or by using my pinning technique. Oh, and we wore out the “hands up” icon!

So, wow! I’m still trying to wrap my head around this day. It was the craziest experience.

The adventure of Day 2 begins at 8:45 am sharp tomorrow.