Fall Semester
I plod toward the culmination
of a summer of study and planning
lugging a stone-boat
of handouts, lessons and lectures.
Responsibilities blinker me
from distraction.
Urged and directed
by the reins of conscientiousness
it’s Giddy-up and Go
till November
when, unbuckled
from this harness
I again get to frolic
in the meadow
of carefree imagination.
© Violet Nesdoly
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I have spent much of the summer getting ready for fall. I’ve been preparing to deliver two poetry workshops at an end-of-September writing conference and at the same time reworking a series of eight lessons for our church’s Wednesday morning for women.
Though I have been a classroom teacher in the past, I haven’t taught much lately and I’m rusty. Ratcheting up the tension for me this year is that I have made Keynote (Mac version of PowerPoint) presentations for each session. That’s ten Keynotes! Trouble is I’ve never used such a presentation before in a class, neither do I have my own projector so I can’t even practice with the technology.
I’m not complaining… really! Doing this teaching is a wonderful way to stretch and grow my skills. But one thing I find hard to do while focusing on these assignments is to give myself to creativity. Because when I do, I so easily get lost, lose track of time, slow down, get behind. So I’m trying to enjoy this season and looking forward to the time when my on-top-of-things teacher-role will be finished and I can again be the absent-minded writer.
This post is linked to Poetry Friday. It’s hosted today by Jen at Teacher-Mentor Texts.
Violet Nesdoly 
I think we can all identify with this, Violet! Nicely done…and best wishes with your workshops & lessons.
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Wonderful! I love the stone-boat of handouts…and the meadow of carefree imagination!
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Thank you, Iza and Matt! I am completely in awe of full-time teachers who have to prepare lessons to fill hours a day, five days a week. That they have anything left for creative endeavors is amazing to me.
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Good luck with all your lessons and workshops. Lots of hard work but I’m sure both you and your students will be reaping all the benefits very shortly.
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Thank you, Jama. It’s the season of reaping. Let’s hope benefits are part of the harvest!
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Hi there Violet, I don’t have Keynote, although I am using a Mac. I think it’s really the problems of projecting onto a screen that most Mac users struggle with, since it’s mostly a Windows-based platform. Make sure you bring your mac adaptor too. Good luck with the workshops, enjoy!
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Best of luck with your presentations! It sounds as though you are well prepared. I like “meadow of carefree imagination,” too.
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Thanks, Myra and Tabatha!
Myra, I think you’re right. I’ve looked at projectors online and notice that some mention Mac compatibility, others don’t. I’m going to meet with the media folks and try to iron out all kinks beforehand.
Actually putting these presentations together is the fun part (a combo of making notes and scrapbooking). Just hope I can do a smooth delivery with this format. There’s always something new to learn!
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I love your extended metaphor here. I think we all know how it feels. I hope you enjoy your teaching.
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Loved your metaphor, VIolet! Good luck on your presentations! I don’t know how full-time teachers have the energy for their creative endeavors either.
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Wonderful, Violet! Love that you associate teaching with being “harnessed” until November when you can “frolic in the meadow”. Perfect metaphor! =)
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**long distance fist-bump**
I’m right there with ya, sistah! Lugging that stone boat every day and trying to write a few lines in the morning while I’m fresh…before I pick up the rope to lug again!
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Thank you so much, Liz, Bjlee, Bridge & Mary Lee! Your comment makes me grin, Mary Lee. Fist bump sistah! You and other full-time teachers have my wholehearted awe and respect. That you write such wonderful poems in the meantime is a credit to your determination and resilience.
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