Poem 26, #VerseLove24, "Write Poetic Advice for a Poster to Hang in My Room" - a Wonderful Prompt from Oklahoma's Scott (what a teacher!)

I've never wanted a weekend to let my brain go free more than this weekend. I'm fried, y'all, but I finished the week doing Scott's prompt on #VerseLove - he wanted a poem for his students to think about and I thought about the one sign I have in my house - an Emerson quote for living life with joy. I thought about car rides with Pam and all the times we say things and immediately thing we shouldn't have said that. But then, as the prompt comes my way, I see a post of two road signs in some small town in NY (which I created here). Wola! I have material for a poem. The actual sign in this town is funnier, because it's a crematorium with an arrow pointing left, with the advertisement for McDonalds at a bus stop. 

It's supposed to be gray, rainy, and cold, so I have the weekend to grade (and for that I'm thankful. It's been a year for sure. There are times when I simply don't know how I'm still standing. But I stand, because I keep my sense of humor and have friends who do the same. Here's to the weekend.

More than the "Where I'm From" Prompt Into the "Where I Once Was" with a Twist on a Filmic or Character Influence - #VerseLove '24, Poem 25

Has it really been 25 days of poetry? Ah, April. How quickly the time flies by (must be having fun). Actually, as this post goes up I'm participating in a rather big interview in the whirlwind of the Great Whatever. Allergy season is upon us. I'm sneezing, and I really need to mow the lawn (and take a nap). The goal is to work from home today and to get writing projects accomplished (although I am likely to procrastinate with grading). 

Five more days of #VerseLove and then I'll return to the regular scheduled blogging. Yesterday was spend with the University's Research Symposium, research talks of job candidates, and a fantastic dinner with our Corrigan and Humanities Scholars (love having time with Dr. Beth Boquet). 

I'm not sure how well the poem will resonate, but for me...at that moment in time, this was a moment for everything.

On the 24th Day of #VerseLove @dogtrax Prompted Us Upward, Towards Constellation (a Fun, Magical Prompt that Makes Poetic Challenges Magical)

 It's Thursday. I'm proud to bring a student research to an academic symposium where he is displaying year one of a two-year study I'm fortunate to mentor. I look forward to the logic, sincerity, rigor, and professionalism of his work, as a way to counter the crazy insanity of all that was experienced this week. I know that Higher Education is its own monster, but sometimes I'm can't comprehend the double-speak.

The symposium, however, is the real deal...an investment in scholarship, research, hard work, data collection, delivery, and pushing the field forward. I also provided cake #2 in my graduate courses and had a wonderful last class. The students win me over every time. The profession. The dedication of many to promote literacy, education, best practices for teaching, and professional leadership. It exists in some communities, and I'm proud to be part of that work. 

Meanwhile, a poem. I'm an Aquarius. I love lunar moths and the possibility of a Star Wars galaxy. I couldn't help but get nerdy, so I did. I'm thankful to Kevin (my Massachusetts friend) for his brilliant prompt. And with that, a poem.

Day #23...Celebrating the April Showers for the May Flowers to Come. A Morning Voice Message Launched Me Into a Parallel, yet More Critical Direction

I can tell it's the end of the semester, because I'm going full speed and simply needing toothpicks to hold my eyes open and my body standing upright. Two more classes to teach this semester. Two more. It feels like teaching high school all over again...go, go, go.

But the poetry grounds me and I am thankful for it. Another cake came out of the oven last night. If it brings joy, then it's all good. Meanwhile, another news cycle rolls, history continues, and I'll take what ever privileges come my way and try to do good with them. 

Day 22 - Earth Day on #VerseLove '24. Prompted to Look to the Earth for a Poem, but My Dentist Had Other Plans (These Teeth, I Tell You)

I am hoping I was earthly enough in my writing, channeling the story of the man who studies badgers by digging dirt and making tunnels with his teeth. It seemed like the perfect NPR story to parallel with dental dilemmas (and the Earth). 

It's Tuesday, and because it is the last class with undergraduates for the semester, it also means Crandall cake, so I'm baking before class before we finish it off for the semester. They've really pulled through in the end, but I wasn't sure the majority were going to make it. The obstacles of the real world are heavy, indeed. 

On a good front, my first semester pay-increase will come in handy to pay for my mouth. Dentistry is the world's biggest hustle. 

Day 21 with @Joyteamstars, #VerseLove '24, Being Brought into the Kitchen to Find the Words that Will Meet Us There

 I wish I could say I was a better chef yesterday, but I only baked a Trader Joe's burrito, while recalling three meals I regularly contribute from our Mt. Pleasant kitchen: The Crandall special, care of the boys, the Kentucky cake, care of Alice, and my Easter carrot traditions. Knowing I was writing for Stacey Joy (who lives and her teaches everything with her last name at the center), I channeled her prompt to write for her. The Mandingo words are from Liberia - words for vegetables, prayer, chicken, sauce, and rice contributed by the twins who were central to a dish that became a staple in my home.

It's Monday, the work ahead is impossible, and I get to spend my mourning in a dentist chair so my earnings can be traded for crown-recovery and repair (two teeth). I will go to my grave saying, "My mouth is worth more than I'll ever be," probably because of my eating habits (ha ha). There are too many cooks in this kitchen and, I know, I am a better man because of this.

Notes Passed Along the Way, #VerseLove '24 Morning Prompt - Day 20, To Recall Those Notes...Those Letters...Those Memories.

I had to run upstairs and go through drawers...not only do I have boxes of notes and letters saved over the years, but I also have the books that my first pen pal and I used to keep after writing to one another for over 20 years. Sadly, the tradition ended in our 30s and 40s, and the last time we were in touch is when we went to a Women's basketball game at the Syracuse Dome with her mom. They were moving out west and saying goodbye to their Adams, NY home. 

I often give Sara full credit for making me the writer I am. I always read her letters mailed to me with absolute awe. Her mind was a good 20 years ahead of my own and she was outside the box before I even understood what boxes were. Definitely an ordinal who intrigued my mind, soul, and wonder of the world. Anyway, I pulled out some of the books and pulled lines to write a poem. I suppose it is time to put words back to the page and do an ol' fashioned mailing.