Candles glisten, blue and white
In the windows
and on graves across the land.
Memories of independence:
A declaration, an idea, a nation.
Quiet thankfulness and pride,
a flickering pinprick of light.
.
Itsenäisyyspäivä Suomenmaa.
poem- philosophy of place March 3, 2015
A poem created as part of my grad school Poetic Diversity Project:
Where I grew up
all the faces were variations of my own
Snow White, Cinderella,
assorted Prince Charmings
interchangeable
My experiences with other cultures were
Princess Tiger Lily, Little Black Sambo,
Emperor’s Nightingale.
But somehow I knew the world was bigger
and I wanted to wrap my tongue
around other languages
entwine new vowels
between rhythmic syllables and
see inside minds that
offered something
more.
Offered something
more.
Offered something
not better
not worse
just different
Because different is worth noticing
because different means to the same end
speak to a journey with different views
a different beauty
a different way
of being human,
offers something
more.
poem-there
Midnight sun
your bright glow
matches my summer soul.
Midday night
your sky indigo
I hibernate and am made whole
Northern land
that journey long ago
taught me a heart has many homes.
.
.
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A rumination on my Rotary youth exchange year in Finland.
Do you have a place that changed your philosophy and perspective? Share your poetry or leave a comment about it at https://shawnbird.com/poetic-diversity-project/
We’d love to hear your voice!
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poem- longing December 6, 2014
I light blue and white candles
bake cardamom spiced breads
and remember a home
far away.
.
.
.
Today is the 97th anniversary of Finnish independence.
hyvää itsenäisyyspäivää kaikille suomalaisille
Runo Suomeksi:
Itsenäisyyskynttilät
pulla
muistan
ja olen ikava sinulle,
Suomen maa.
,
(I was an exchange student in Finland when I was 18. I have been back a couple of times, but I’m still waiting for my Finns to come visit me in Canada!)
poem- remember June 4, 2014
Äiti was crying when I left
hugging me close and weeping.
“Äiti?”
“Et unohta” she whispered.
Don’t forget.
“Muistat sinun Suomen kielesta,
en osaa puhua englanti!” she sniffed.
You have to remember your Finnish!
I can’t speak English!
“Minä muistan, Äiti.”
I will remember.
Years dripped by
on memories and melancholy
but still
Muistan, Äiti.
poem- candle December 12, 2013
In Finland,
a single candle in the window
is the Christmas light.
In graveyards,
candles illuminate gravestones
through the dark winter days:
a haunting reminder
of life lights extinguished,
better than buried plastic flowers
in the moonlit snow.
Light dances like a living soul
in windows and on graves.
Single points of light,
simple festivity,
Christmas celebration
far away.
.
.
Missing my Finnish host families and friends tonight, but remembering them with a candle in my window.
Mastering the art… April 30, 2013
Today I accepted placement in a Masters of Education program in Curriculum. I am hoping to study the innovations in the Finnish system, and hope to take advantage of university exchanges in order to travel to Finland to observe their system in high school class rooms. As I speak passable Finnish, have lived in Finland, and understand the Finnish culture, I imagine this will be easier for me than many North American educators curious about this system that is one of the few that ranks above Canada’s. (Four points above Canada, 22 points above the UK, and 25 points above the US in the 2009 PISA rankings).
I was offered placements at two institutions, so it was a bit of decision, but I am looking forward to studying in the intimate and flexible environment of Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops.
Studies won’t begin until September, which hopefully will provide opportunity to finish the editing of Grace Awakening Myth (book 3 in the series) and finish writing Grace Awakening Destiny (book 4) before I start. I will be teaching (probably full-time) while I am studying, so I will definitely not have any time to be marketing either book with all my Saturdays in classes in Kamloops for the next couple of years!
Do you have a Masters? Did you do it full time or part time? How did you find the process? Do you have any tips?
Finnish education February 17, 2013
There is now a benefit to my educational experience to speak Finnish! This is what I hope to focus on in my MEd.
thankful February 12, 2013
I was just chatting with our school’s exchange student, a lovely girl here for the year from Finland. Those of you who read my blog regularly will know that I was an exchange student in Finland myself, many years ago. It has been really great having Satu here. We greet each other in Finnish in the halls, and once a week or so we chat more thoroughly about things. I hope she enjoys having someone to speak her own language to, because I sure love speaking with her.
I talk to myself in Finnish to practice, but that doesn’t help my listening skills. I can tune into Finnish radio, but radio doesn’t have the necessary pauses that allow assimilation of meaning nor does it provide opportunity to clarify meaning of unfamiliar vocabulary. Having Satu here has been fantastic. In September, there was a lot that I struggled with when I listened to her. I constantly had to check words. Now, I find that I understand her so much better. I’ve learned some vocabulary (What does it tell you about my exchange that I didn’t know the word for ‘homework’! lol). It makes me so happy that so many years after my return to Canada, I can still speak fluently enough to have these interesting conversations with her. When I promised my 4th mom that I would never forget my Finnish, I meant it. I have kept my promise.
I also have really enjoyed the excuse to do some Finnish baking now and then. When I take karjalan piirakoita or some pulla buns to school for her, it’s nice to know I’ve brought a bit of ‘home’ into her week.
It makes me thankful, once again, for the existance of the Rotary Exchange Student program, and thankful that I was part of it. It is amazing how it never leaves you. When you meet another exchange student, of any age, from any country, you instantly have a common bond of experience. There is always something to talk about. Eyes sparkle with fun or commiseration.
Once an exchange student, always an exchange student.
and that’s a wrap! December 31, 2012
So! In a few hours 2012 will be history. The hysteria of the end of the Mayan calendar passed, and now our calendar is finished, too.
My hubby was given two calendars this year, and I received one.
One of his is an inspirational one, about challenge. He’s going to put it up in his office to inspire young clients who need all the help they can get.
The second was is Scottish scenery. I’m hoping that one inspires him to wear his kilt more often, and perhaps take a trip to Scotland some time.
My calendar arrived in the mail today from Finland. The photos are stunning and it makes me ‘kotiikava.’ Koti is ‘home’ and ikava is ‘melancholy’ or ‘longing.’ The term is more a propos to the circumstance than our English homesick , don’t you think? I also received a card from the wife of my Rotary exchange counselor, asking when I’d be coming back to Finland.
I’m making plans for 2013. I will be applying for Master programs in the next month or two. One could see me in Finland, studying educational theory and practice. One won’t. I have a novel project floating in my brain that involves Finnish mythology, but I think I’d better get Grace Beguiling dealt with first. Finland is floating in my future, but so are a lot of other things.
So the old year is wrapped, and we lead into the next.
Teaching, writing, studying, growing, reading, learning, laughing… Those are my plans for 2013. What are yours?
Shawn L. Bird 