I Am poems are a simple form for students.  They are a fill-in-the-blanks type of activity.  The kids like them because they are easy and they're all about them.  

I am
Laughter, Living, Loving
I wonder where the rainbow goes
I hear colors balking at the night
I see myself beyond the bow
I want to know
I am

I pretend my dreams are real
I feel the color of blue
I touch your tears
I worry that our days are few
I cry for you
I am

I understand the ocean’s roar
I say love’s a higher tide
I dream of laughter, life, and love
I try to drown my selfish pride
I hope to find the other side
I am

2008 Cheri Neuman Herald

We started a poetry unit with our 7th graders.  I like it when I get a chance to write at school; it's the best I ever get paid to write poetry.

The Oak Beside the Ginkgo

The oak is like a strong man holding up the world;
the ginkgo’s like a little child-- giggly and curled.

The oak withstands the strongest wind
with very little sway;
the ginkgo takes the breezes
as excuse to dance and play.

The oak is like a father--
protective, hard and stern;
the ginkgo’s like a mother--
delicate, but firm.

          5/13/08 Cheri Neuman Herald

Life is cyclic.  One ends; a new one begins.  Look what I saw through the fence in the back yard.

It should grow; I've already watered it (accidentally).  Some things never change.

Humpty Dumpty Delight

The omelet is lovely
in spite of tearful onions,
soured cream
and a broken, beaten egg.
Who’d have guessed
a golden dream
from such a mess?

3/27/2008 Cheri Neuman Herald

After the Maccabean revolt which began in 167 B.C., the people of Jerusalem waved palm branches as the Maccabees triumphantly entered the city before ceremonially cleansing the temple.  The palms symbolized victory over their enemies.  Simon Maccabee also gained the privilege of striking Jewish coins, some of which bore a palm tree between two baskets of dates and other fruits.

At Jesus's entry into Jerusalem, the people waved palm branches in preparation for another leader to save them from Roman oppression.  His cleansing of the temple was not what they had expected.  The religious leaders were able to convince many that this seemingly blasphemous man should be traded for a better zealot named Barabbas.

Victory Palms

Palms waved
Messiah entered
Jerusalem swayed.

Lift hands
palms awave
victorious, triumphant
saved.

She graced our lives for two years, showing up at dawn and dusk to nibble on clover, grass, and the occasional flower.  We never officially named her--it didn't seem right because we didn't own her--but bunny was never afraid of us.  A scootchie-place under the fence gate divulged her pathway, although we never did find her hole.  The temporary one she dug in the butterfly garden as a youngster was quickly abandoned, but she never deserted us.  She forgave my occasional waterings with the garden hose when I couldn't see her in the low light.  I think she even enjoyed our company and quiet conversations. 

A lone hawk feather
in the trail of rabbit fur
answers my question

I look forward to the time that death will no longer be the natural way of life--when there will be no more good-byes.

Isaiah 65:25  The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox...They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain," says the LORD.

Spring shouldn't be far off.  Having said that, we're supposed to freeze tonight.   You have to love Florida...

notforprophet got me thinking; I wonder how many relics on Xanga still have one of these?  It is the original e-mail from "Bianca", dated Dec 23, 2000, inviting me to check out what a "web-log" is.  Now, that's a relic.

I've completed my first official year as a teacher.   I have four yellow pages of carbon copies with signatures attesting to the fact that I've jumped through all the proper hoops.  I've decided that yellow is my color.

He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. --Proverbs 19:17

----------------------------------------------------------------------

I had never thought of charitable giving in quite this way; it definitely makes it a win/win situation.  Have a gainful Sunday!