Join the Two Writing Teachers blog for the Slice of Life Challenge.
I’m failing in my attempt to write a poem a day. It all happened when my spring break started. In truth, I’ve only been off one day, but without my schedule and my students, I feel uninspired. We crave this kind of time, a wide open day to write, and when that time happens, nothing. Blank page.
I have no choice but to give my brain this break it wants. I’ll take a walk and perhaps a muse will come. If I’ve learned anything about being a writer, it is this: writing happens in its own time.
This weekend my husband and I attended a wedding for a friend’s son. We enjoyed relaxing and not being in charge of anything. During the ceremony, the priest read a Rumi poem and talked about how this couple was crossing the threshold to a new world, a world that they would live in together.
Don’t go back to sleep
The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you.
Don’t go back to sleep.You must ask for what you really want.
Don’t go back to sleep.People are going back and forth across the doorsill
where the two worlds touch.The door is round and open.
Don’t go back to sleep.Rumi
I started thinking about how our world has changed, how change is inevitable, how change is the only constant. Within the last 6 months, two of my daughters have gotten married. Their worlds have changed. My day to day hasn’t changed, but as I look forward to the Easter holiday this weekend, I realize that our family is larger now. We have two sons as well as three daughters. In so many ways this new world is wonderful, and it will continue to grow and change.
I accept this new world.
I embrace the memories of each gathering.
And love the we
we have become.
Reflections on the Teche 
Margaret, THIS is how I felt as we began the SOLC in March. I almost quit a thousand times, but it was my students who kept me going. I feel like you saw my notebook pages when you wrote this line, “We crave this kind of time, a wide open day to write, and when that time happens, nothing. Blank page.” YES! Thank you for saying (without knowing it), “Me too!” I needed it. Glad you showed up here today. Enjoy your walk. Enjoy your spring break. As Anne Lamott would say, “Show yourself radical self-care.”
Michelle, I think we were simultaneously reading each other’s blogs. I love it when that happens. Thanks for your words of encouragement.
Ah yes. Life! There is so much waiting, how can we not open the door. As always, glad to read your words and see the images you create.
I hear that you think you don’t have a poem, but it feels to me like this post is one. The Rumi poem, like many, is wise, isn’t it? Thanks for creating that one line into a lovely image. Enjoy your break, wherever it takes you. . .
I was playing with a new app, PicsArt. Using Rumi’s words helped me just have fun with it. Thanks for your encouragement.
Will look for that app. Fun to have a new one!
Maybe your muse is telling you it needs some time off. Your heart seems so full right now of the significant changes in your own life…changes that need time for you to process. And that is exactly what you did with us today…process…and in that processing you created a beautiful Slice, complete with a poetry sharing and a small inspirational poem of your own. I am grateful for your thoughts and images today because I, too, am going through a major period of processing the changes in my life. And now I know I’m in good company.
I wrote about change today, too. It’s interesting how change, expected or unexpected, affects us in different ways. And I think you were successful in creating a poem today. Thanks also for sharing your process of reflection.
You have a new world to navigate by welcoming in two young men who love your daughters. Your words will come as you listen and observe life around you.
Thank you for sharing this Rumi poem. His words are so full of wisdom. I love the journey they took you on, and the understandings they led you to. Your writing will come. Remember, the door is open…
I love this inspiration you shared. I am trying to keep the door open. Change can be good.
When you stop and think how much you have written in the last month and a half, you deserve a break. I wanted so badly to write more poetry this month, but it just hasn’t happened. I love your image – ahh…another app to explore!
Thanks for the encouragement on my blog post Monday. I missed you, too! Practice some radical self-care during your break. You need it! The Rumi poem = perfection. xoxo
This is wonderful, Margaret. I, too, have not written a poem each day but as you said, the muse may inspire along the way. Breaks are meant for exploration and release to find the peace.
Hello Margaret.
The Rumi poem the priest shared is potent -“do not go back to sleep.”
And the heart art you parked with it is lovely.
Appreciations for sharing the poetry lines of how your expanded “we”
brings more love into your heart circle.
Happy Easter!