Find more celebration posts at Ruth’s blog.
Empty classrooms
echo sights and sounds
of children.
Each knickknack evokes
a memory of a child.
I move desks to their places,
reconnect computer cables,
staple border on bulletin boards,
roll out the rug,
dust shelves,
arrange books,
and wonder who
the first bell will bring.
Tall pencils in a jar,
blank notebooks in the cubbies,
sticker charts wait.
Empty classrooms
invite, inspire, invoke
a spirit of expectedness,
elasticity to expand
for new voices, new hearts,
new children to embrace.
Reflections on the Teche 
So perfect…our students return on Monday! This past week has been all about this!
Margaret, such a lovely reflection before the emptiness is filled. I imagine those lucky students who will be coming your way soon to be embraced and journey through the year with you. .
Getting the space ready for the kids is such a ritual, I think…. making space for relationships and learning!
This is a time I miss, enjoying the preparation, the wonderful anticipation of what’s coming. Can’t believe you are beginning so soon, though. Have a wonderful week “doing”!
Beautiful poem. There’s nothing like a new space or a clean place to inspire possibilities.
This is a great poem. I had my first back to school dream last night. It’s an amazing time filled with possibility as we prepare to go back.