Skip to main content

soLs: one child


Slice of Life Stories hosted

one child

one child
     Is sweet one minute, then defiant the next.
     That just doesn't seem to care.
     Is negative in thinking, glass always half empty.
     That I struggle and fight to connect to daily.

one child
     With no one to count on.
     A dad in prison and life on the run.
     A constant uphill battle,
     Full of confusions and lies.

one child
     Can life get any tougher?
     Can he carry any more baggage?
     Can you understand why he doesn't seem to care?
     Can you even begin to blame him?

one child
     I'm easily frustrated by his choices.
     I'm constantly redirecting, refocusing, reminding.
     I close my eyes and take deep breaths
     To remember what his life is like.

one child
     I want to make the difference.
     I want this child to know.
     I'm here for you.
     I'm listening.

one child
     

Labels

Labels:

Comments

  1. Deb DayApril 3, 2012 at 7:13 AM

    One teacher....sometimes that's what they need. One teacher who believes. One teacher who cares. One teacher who shows them the way. You are that teacher.

    Deb

    ReplyDelete
  2. BKApril 3, 2012 at 7:26 AM

    I love Deb's response. One Teacher. How luck One Child has you!
    BOnnie

    ReplyDelete
  3. MaryHelenApril 3, 2012 at 7:32 AM

    Deb's response says it. Thank you for being the one teacher who takes the time to nurture this child.

    ReplyDelete
  4. JudyApril 3, 2012 at 7:34 AM

    You do make a difference, not only in this child's life, but in every child that you work with. Sometimes, we can only plant a seed and pray that it will be nourished. I pray that your seed will grow within the little boy. You are a great teacher!!! Love ya M

    ReplyDelete
  5. ChrisApril 3, 2012 at 7:46 AM

    Ahhh - great words for that child. I know you're making a difference - but there's no way to see it. Hang in there!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. LynnApril 3, 2012 at 8:28 AM

    So so true, how often we say the baggage that some of these kids come to us with most adults would not be able to handle. For a lot of these kids, the best part of the day is here at school...and that's true because of teachers/people like you!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Linda BApril 3, 2012 at 8:36 AM

    I am glad you are that 'one teacher' Michelle. The fact that you are still expecting him to be his best self is both loving and respectful to him. You may be one of the best models he has. Best wishes to you in your worries and work with this little boy.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Terje April 3, 2012 at 9:18 AM

    Your poem shows how much you care, how you can put your frustrations on the side and focus on this one child.

    ReplyDelete
  9. elsieApril 3, 2012 at 10:45 AM

    Very powerful poem, it makes me step back and look at each child and wonder what is there life like away from me. The children under your wing are lucky indeed.

    ReplyDelete
  10. maria.selkeApril 3, 2012 at 12:23 PM

    We hope, we pray, that we can make a real difference in the life of each child. We may not catch them all, but if we keep trying we'll have an impact, right?

    I like the framework you used on the poem, especially the simple, powerful way you ended it.

    ReplyDelete
  11. JenniferMApril 3, 2012 at 4:46 PM

    What a powerful poem! It's obvious that you are just the kind of teacher this one child needs. Thanks for the reminder to "close my eyes and take deep breaths / to remember what his life is like." Really neat!

    ReplyDelete
  12. JanetApril 3, 2012 at 5:50 PM

    You did a great job writing your frustration and your devotion. If only it were really just, "one child" that makes us feel this way. Very powerful. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  13. PAMELA HODGESApril 3, 2012 at 7:22 PM

    one child
    well thought out and powerful
    making the difference to one child

    ReplyDelete
  14. Ruth AyresApril 3, 2012 at 8:12 PM

    One teacher is enough.

    I love when you share your poetry with us.
    Ruth

    ReplyDelete
  15. KarenApril 3, 2012 at 9:29 PM

    I agree with Deb that one teacher can make all the difference in the world to that one student. Thanks for this lovely poem.

    ReplyDelete
  16. AnonymousApril 4, 2012 at 5:18 AM

    Wow, what a powerful poem. I agree with Deb as well! You are making a difference for that child whether you see it or not. The student will remember you!

    ReplyDelete
  17. LoriApril 4, 2012 at 8:15 PM

    You care and understand the life this child faces.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Popular posts from this blog

A Conversation with My Writer Self

I don't know what to write about today. [Scratching head.  Bulging eyes staring at the blank screen.] Write about the ordinary. Write about the little things. Just write and write. I know, I know.  But I don't know what to write. [Shoulder shrug. Clicking fingertips on the keyboard.] Open your writer's notebook. Search for an idea, a seed, a spark. Let it grow, ignite and you will write. My writer's notebook? Oh, that little book that has been ignored?  Unattended?  Left blank? [Digging and searching for my notebook.] Live the life of a writer. Ideas breathe all around you  every day.   In and out.  In and out. I know. I know. [Dusting the notebook off. Cracking it open as if it hasn't been opened in years.] It's time to revive the notebook. Open your eyes and ears to your world that's waiting to be captured and shared. I know what to write about today., but first, let me write down a few ideas. [Bringing my wr...
8 comments
Read more

{bedtime stories} 2/31 #sol16

The March Slice of Life Story Challenge hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers Join us for a month of writing! _________________________________________________________ "Time to head upstairs.  PJs on and let's brush teeth!"  My very favorite time of the day is bedtime with the girls.  I hurry and hustle and bustle them along, so that we have plenty of time to settle into a bedtime story or two (or more like three).  Each girl picks out a book and then one usually snags a third. "Mommy, this is one that you want to read. Right?"  When the girls are completely ready for bed, we meet in my bedroom to snuggle in the big bed.  I'm in the middle, sandwiched between the two girls.  Heads resting close by, slowly slithering closer, they each nestle on my shoulder to get a closer look at every ...
20 comments
Read more

sols: a gift of words

Slice of Life  hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers . Join in and share a slice of your life. One of the best gifts I give myself is time to write Monday evenings for the Tuesday Slice of Life.  That writing time allows me the opportunity to think about the little moments in my life.  Sometimes those moments are big and important.  Other times it's a funny moment that made me laugh.  Or a celebration, a word, a poem about the ordinary life.  I'm still amazed that I have been writing each week for over three years! Yet, there is another gift . . . My mom and dad have published my writing.  Just this past Christmas, I received volume five of my blog writing.  Yes, I have five books f...
20 comments
Read more