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Thursday, February 22, 2018

Poetry Friday - On Choosing

      Elizabeth Steinglass hosts our Poetry Friday this week with a lovely poem reflecting upon her life, "Why I'm Here". Be sure to visit to read it and then follow the links to others sharing poetry.


    

         The week stretches on, the news fills with more and more, strange responses that I find hard to understand. How can he think that? Why would she say such hurtful words? What makes them so fearful? Who taught them those beliefs? And in my own life's connections, I wonder if each one I question ever, ever was given the chance to think for him or herself? Sometimes the answers I hear are "That's just the way it is." I taught many years in a school that valued choice above any other academic requirement. Each chose what to study, how to approach it, how would each show what was learned. 
          These students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida are making choices right now, how they want to fight to make change, how they want to ensure that #neveragain is a hashtag that will be remembered. They "choose" to act, they know there will be consequences and it seems that there already have been, both good and bad. They are discovering the kinds of adults they want to be. That's what kids learn when they're given choice, they consider options, and choose. Growing up, the choices become more complicated, become more connected to living beings, yes, more complex. They figure out personal priorities, who the choices will affect, not only themselves but others--family, friends, strangers. I am sad that I learned of these fine young women and men in these horrific circumstances, but I am glad to know of them and their actions. I hope many, many of us will give them support.

           Robert Frost helps me collect my rambling words. I hope it will add to your own reflections, too, about 'choice'.

THE ARMFUL

For every parcel I stoop down to seize
I lose some other off my arms and knees,
And the whole pile is slipping, bottles, buns—
Extremes too hard to comprehend at once,
Yet nothing I should care to leave behind.
With all I have to hold with, I will do my best
To keep their building balanced at my breast.
I crouch down to prevent them as they fall;
Then sit down in the middle of them all.
I had to drop the armful in the road.
And try to stack them in a better load.

26 comments:

  1. Oh wow. Look at that. He wrote an amazing, resonant poem about having trouble carrying too many boxes. This poem will stay with me. Thanks for sharing it and your thoughts about Florida. I hope the world will listen.

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  2. Thanks for your heartfelt thoughts and the wonderful Frost poem that seems to encapsulate what everyone is trying to do right now. The MSD High School students give me hope for the future.

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    1. You're welcome, Jama. I'm hopeful for those students and for us, too.

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  3. I do enjoy Robert Frost. Thanks for sharing "The Armful"... such a timely metaphor.

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  4. What a perfect poem from Robert Frost! We all know that feeling. I have so disturbed, emotional, angry that I haven't been able to write. The students have given me hope as they fight for change. How did it come to this? #neveragain

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    1. Thanks, Margaret. It has been a tough week and hard to imagine what those who are close to this latest tragedy are making it. I'm glad to hear good news about your students.

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  5. I'm loving the Robert Frost poems showing up on Poetry Friday this week. I don't think it's coincidence. He really speaks to us in a special way at times when we are reaching out. Thank you for sharing this poem. It is a comfort.

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    1. Yes, he does bring a fount of knowledge that is helpful. All poetry does, too, thank goodness. Thanks, Linda.

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  6. What a wonderful poem by Robert Frost–I hope we can do some restacking as Frost did hear. Loved your statement above speaking about these brave, young students, taking action–hope they muster up more and more support that turns into action, thanks Linda!

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    1. Thanks, Michelle. I'm hopeful for them and for us! I loved this poem, too.

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  7. Taking Frost at face value here--getting old is not for the faint of heart!

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  8. Thank you for sharing both your own wise, strong words and those of Robert Frost. It does seem we are trying to carry too many things at once, but like you, I find hope in the words and actions of the students who are making a choice to say never again.

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    1. You're welcome, Kay, I'm hoping too, and doing all I can to support.

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  9. So many words of truth are in your post, Linda. This really connects in a way with what I have been thinking about lately. These are times to give hope and strength to others so that they may stand up for their beliefs. Like you, this week I found Frost's words to provide some help for reflecting on my feelings.

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    1. It was so nice to Frost's words in several places. We can use them for ourselves and to share, and find other ways to help too. Thanks, Kiesha!

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  10. This one is new to me, and I love it. Thank you.

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  11. Thank you for sharing your heart-felt words and this thought-provoking poem, Linda. I, too, have listened to some of the reactions in disbelief, but am also inspired by the voices of they young people who will not be silenced.

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    1. You're welcome! I hope that we can keep supporting the students and act ourselves to make change.

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  12. Those students are carrying too many burdens, and so many thoughtless remarks on social media are adding to that. Shame on people who suggest they are anything other than grieving teens pushed too far by self-interested people and a murderer.

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    1. I agree, it's terrible, so we all need to give the support we can. Thanks, Brenda.

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  13. I think Robert Frost must be spying on me as I juggle my bags and hand trolley on the way home from the grocery store, Linda! So many baffling responses to the Florida tragedy. I'm with the students...#NeverAgain. =)

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    1. I am with them, too, Bridget, hoping, sending letters, calling. Love that the poem touched you in your shopping plight! Thanks!

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