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The beginning of school is a tough time. Learning new routines, establishing a safe space, and getting to know your students takes time. And then there are the directives, the process of finding the way to fit your teaching philosophy into the constraints of district guidelines. I feel the strain. As fun as it is to see those kids you missed over the summer, and to reconnect with faculty friends, the stress can be overwhelming.
Without going into too many details, I had that kind of beginning. I took all this stress with me to a yoga class out in the open air pavilion downtown. Susan was playing music and singing while Laurie led us in sun salutations. Near the end of this invigorating exercise, Susan sang “Let it Be.” Her voice entered into my soul and the chorus became a mantra, “Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.”
I watched Karaoke Carpool with Paul McCartney. If you haven’t seen this yet, you should watch it. Paul tells the story of how he came to write the song. He had a dream about his deceased mother who told him, “Let it be.” There are many things that are not in our control. I am reminded of the serenity prayer: “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”
Using the words in a golden shovel, I wrote this poem:
Someone is speaking.
I can’t hear the words.
I look into the eyes of
love and know wisdom.
It is mine to let
go or choose to let it
get to me. I choose to let it be.Margaret Simon, (c) draft 2018
Susan painted this mural in the yoga room.
Reflections on the Teche 
Gorgeous, Margaret. Sometimes we must, “let it be”. I love your poem and wish you a wonderful year at all your schools!
Lovely! Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
Thank you for putting into words the feelings that so many educators share at this point in the year. We just watched Madonna in carpool karaoke this weekend. I will be sure to watch Paul McCartney soon! Such a fun way to let your mind take a break! Wishing you a wonderful school year! Yoga is a wonderful way to stay grounded. Your golden shovel is proof that you have shifted your mindset to a place where you can grow!
Sigh – I fear that these feelings may be ahead of me this year, so I really appreciate your ability to articulate them and to share how you have dealt with them. And I like that you took important words and turned them into a golden shovel; it helped me see the line anew. May the strain lessen as the school year moves ahead.
Margaret, I have been trying to “control” things less in my life and your post is a great reminder to “Let it be.” I will watch the Carpool Karaoke as I haven’t seen it yet. But, most of all I hope as the years starts you and other teachers who are feeling as you are – trying to straddle the divide of district directives and creative teaching that is so needed to answer student needs in many a case – find some relief in knowing you are doing the best you can – and, it doesn’t have to be perfect! I hope “let it be” and the serenity prayer serves you well in the coming months.
Thanks for your response. I am balancing out as I go and feel in a few weeks, I should have a good flow going. The first few weeks are the hardest.
I just watched (again) the entire Karpool Karaoke with Paul last night! I love it so much – and so for you to use that as an inspiration for your post made my day!
yes – it is a stressful time of year and one that we all need patience to get through it all. Your poem is lovely. I am now on a search to learn more about the golden shovel poem technique.
Thank you!
Christine, you should check out Nikki Grimes’ book One Last Word. She is the master of the form.
Thank you I will!
The mural is the perfect accompaniment to your lovely poetry & prose. I felt restful, at peace, reading your words.
Not to break the enchantment, but: Have you ever seen the clip of The Muppets’ with ‘The Beetles’ singing “Letter B”? It’s priceless!
I just listened. Hilarious! Thanks!
Margaret, your yoga practice, the serenity prayer, and your poetry will help reduce the stress you are feeling at the beginning of school. Your golden shovel reveals the choice you have made to relieve your stress. I thank you for your words of wisdom and for the magnificent poetry swap you sent me. I spent time relaxing and “lingering” in the moment as I read through everything you sent. This is a very special gift and I am sure that you were in the “zone” of serenity when you created the poetry swap for me. I will write about this next week.
You are so right! I love doing creative things. They make me feel so much better about the world. Thanks!