Inspired

This week we are celebrating the work of Nikki Grimes. Thanks to Irene Latham for hosting this week: https://irenelatham.blogspot.com/2020/06/nikki-grimes-poetry-friday-roundup-is.html

Here is my poem inspired by Nikki Grimes, specifically from her work Bronx Masquerade:

I wake up and look out the window 

The city streets bustling

Change is on the horizon

My heart beats

I want to do more

I want transformation

I want community

I want to learn, to grow, to apologize

I want to own up

I want to keep myself accountable

This city buzzes with change

I want to be in it, not just watching through a window

Dear Students

This is my Poetry Friday post. This week's host is https://reflectionsontheteche.com/2020/06/05/poetry-friday-letter-to-my-students/

Dear students

It is harder than ever to be away

There are so many things I wish I could say

There are so many moments I wish I had cherished

This is not the school year we planned

But still

You rose to the occasion

You did the work with patience, persistence, inquiry

I miss your faces

I miss your "Bonjours" in the hallway

I miss your coats in the lockers

I miss your telling me the latest songs, shows, artists

I hope for a better world

I pledge to fight for you

You all deserve it 

You deserve better

This isn't goodbye

It's only au revoir for now 

Enough

This is my reflection on this week and inspired by this week's Poetry Friday host blog: https://readingyear.blogspot.com/2020/05/the-poetry-friday-roundup-is-here.html?showComment=1590773812825#c2658929847423992507

Enough

Enough is what I'm not doing

Enough is how others are feeling

Enough 

Not good

Not good that violence reels

Not good enough injustice prevails

Not good enough

Silence

is not enough

Ignoring

is not a solution

I must do more

Enough 

Chirp

Open window

Whoosh 

Cars rush by 

Chirp

An unfamiliar sound 

Chirp 

A sign of life

This is my Poetry Friday post. This week's host is Carol Varsalona  https://beyondliteracylink.blogspot.com/

The Ocean

This post was inspired by my Teach Write writers group. We all participated in writing an Ocean poem using the book Write the Poem.

This is also my first Poetry Friday post. This week's host is Jama's Alphabet Soup: https://jamarattigan.com/2020/05/14/poetry-friday-roundup-is-here-12/

Vast, dark, and deep

Close
But feels distant
There's a chill
A tingle when toes touch
The smell of salt
Tide comes in and out
Foam rolls between feet

Whoosh
Whoosh
Whoosh

In
    Out
In
   Out
In
  Out

The waves crash
The sea a deeper blue
Thoughts released
Worries let go
Only for a moment

In the vast, dark, and deep