life – Page 3

when I read that the average life expectancy for someone living in the neighborhood I work is 68, I sobbed for the circles my students will likely not circle around the sun. I cried in the middle of grad class then realized what a damn privilege it is to be crying in the middle ofContinue reading

questions for my students and no these will not be on the test but they are so very much more important-

do you know about Einstein? and is it E=MC2 or the fact that he didn’t speak until he was 9, thought to be slow, was expelled from high school? do you know about Dr. Seuss? and is it all 1 fish 2 fish or is it the 27 rejected publishing attempts before his first success?Continue reading “questions for my students and no these will not be on the test but they are so very much more important-“

today, i’m trying

not to think about how i want to kiss you with my mouth open, and my eyes just the same. i want to not want to see you- (really see you) shiver straight out of our current context, carefully crafting a new one. wanna stop dreamin’ of a new one. Continue reading “today, i’m trying”

This is called how to chase happiness the way sadness chases you

because happiness is not something you can cross your fingers and hope for- it is something you must chase after even when your shoes are falling apart. so all puns intended this, this is a running list, as I am working on it we all are, so 1. Dissect your devastation Catalogs your concerns, surveyContinue reading “This is called how to chase happiness the way sadness chases you”

Kids are so resilient,

bouncing back and back and back andbelieving “i’m sorry(‘s)“every time they are spokenand not questioning “i promise“or “i love you” or “i mean it(‘s)“.they are everyone’s advocate they are proudand generousthey are forgivingthey are relentlessthey are effervescentand curious.they are teachers. -&

a collection of words about young hands holding paint brushes.

(context: these are about my time at Sheppard Elementary School in North Philadelphia helping muralist Sandra Gonzalez with a mural project in the school. a group of us worked with different classrooms of the elementary school students to help them paint tiles for the mural to be installed in their school) The fountain of youth need not be discovered.Continue reading “a collection of words about young hands holding paint brushes.”