We are flexible and contented
We dance in the halls and laugh in the staff room
We inspire and challenge, stretch and strive.
We welcome opportunity to grow and improve
with new members to our team.
But.
leadership must embrace our joy. We have a culture of YES.
We ask “how can we…?” Not “Can we?”
Today, we’re afraid.
.
But
we wonder how can we
make this change create even greater opportunities for our kids.
We’re nestled here between the hills
protected from the harsh winds
warm and basking by the lake.
But you are bored,
you’re ready to escape,
to see what lies beyond the valley
and so we wave farewell
knowing after adventure,
home calls the blood.
Airborne tanks strafe the window,
humming engines,
peppering thunks as they run their
Kamikaze missions:
June bugs crazed by light.
.
.
.
(It can be kind of scary late a night while I’m working at the computer!)
Her heels
hold back healing
but she feels
without stealing
opportunities for heels
her soul won’t heal,
whole soles heal heels.
.
.
(wishful thinking, that.)
Our graduating students chose the theme of CARNIVAL! for their Graduation ceremony today. I wrote a poem for the teacher they asked to be the special speaker. Here it is:
ERS GRAD 2015 POEM
A carnival is quite a bore if you are there alone
And surely melancholy could seep into your bones
But in the night, with all your friends
A carnival’s great fun, the spinning lights will mesmerize
The laughter never ends.
Cherish time together
at this your graduation
Your memories and histories are worth the celebration.
You may live far apart as you journey through your lives
But always choose what’s positive
and you will choose to thrive.
For life can be a carnival, it’s fun and fearful, too
Remember Eagle River,
as we’ll fondly think of you.
Guest instructor
releases class without permission
Students delighted to wander the halls
bounce balls
study their phones
while the supervisor
looks around the class room,
alone.
I see your fear
that your words are inadequate,
that what you offer is not
good not
enough not
good enough.
But your words are.
Have faith that when you climb to the heights
when you are brave enough to free your words
that I am holding the ladder steady
so you won’t fall.
.
.
(A teacher poem)
Moon glow through our window
illuminates you, bestowing silver
ribbons upon your hills and valleys,
inviting me to stroll their glassy paths.
The moon insists on marking you
with her lunar kisses, and I will humour her,
for she is envious I share your pillow,
while she can only hold you from afar.
Like
attracts
like.
Happiness
brings
happiness.
Choose
your
poison?
Me,
I
like
laughter.
I’m caught in a story
I can’t come out;
I’ll say I’m sorry.
But
I must stay and read
this day away,
Not really sorry to be
in need of story
Shawn L. Bird 