find some

Standing in a field surrounded
Unable to see past here and now
Steeped in the past
Steeped in hurt

Until one day
All the world turned green and purple
Filled with love and chances
Filled with hope

Standing on the threshold of the future
Noticing how nothing really changed
Recognizing the problem has always been
Perspective

invitation to act

Open it
Read it
Read it again
Take the time to notice
The nuances of the words
The paper and its fragrance
Hold it
Answer it
With actions
Again and again
Write the rest of the story
That started with
A note

somehow

Popping up out of nowhere
Seemingly
Showing up without an invitation
Or did they
Planning for the future
One day at a time
Springing toward the sunshine
While facing the dark
And it all works out
Somehow
Remember that
It all works out
Tell yourself
Again and again
It all works out

hang in there

Where do we go
     from here
What happens
     next
Some people
     laugh
Some people
     cry
Some people
     fight
Some people
     try
All we really need is
     peace

class of 2020

Everyday details
Swept away
Instantly
By an invisible
Monster
Stealing away
Voluntarily
Though unwillingly
Things
We never thought
Would change
Sports games
Theatre performances
Competitions
Friends in hallways
Dances and dates
Driving in cars together
Laughing and passing
Notes from hand to hand
Memories
Never to be made
Even lockers
Did not seem
So very special
Before



—

For my students past and present graduating this year.
I see you. I care. I love you.