Ask her.

She will tell you. She won’t be able to tell you physically or verbally. Yet, she will communicate in a way you may not know yet. Keep your mind and heart open for signs. Your mother will communicate her wishes if you let her and are willing to listen. Ask her. Ask her what she wants. [...]

Billowing Habit

Square Dancing with Sister Robert Claire
by Michael Cleary
First week of junior high, Kel wised off to her
same as he’d done to the one all year before.
I can still see it. Her so short, the uppercut put
all her weight under the whack of her pudgy fist
against the V of his chin. Kel arching a back-dive, landing
legs [...]

A shade of Blue

Blue. That’s it. Blue.
When asked what I sound like… he said, “You’re Blue.”
“Blue?” I ask. I wonder. I pause and think. Blue?
“Yes, Blue. We all speak Blue. Some of us speak Dark Blue. Some of us speak Light Blue. Some of us speak Royal Blue. Some of us speak Midnight Blue. Some of us [...]

The secret

The secret in education
lies in respecting
the student.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
 
 
 
 
The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but WARMTH is the vital element for the growing plant and the soul of the CHILD.
-Carl Jung-

Innocence Unveiled

They bounce in through the door backpacks in hand,
slung over shoulders, mouths agape. “Emma!”
“No, Emma’s not here. I’m here.”
Puzzled, they sign, puzzled hits the forehead,
puzzled hits their wide eyed mouths full of wonder-
ment.
They toss Spiderman, Hello Kitty, camoflauge, pink and blue into
the closet, find their seats, ask, “Emma? Orange juice, please.”
I’m not Emma.
They sit with magnets [...]