
I follow the Ethical ELA website that is beautifully led by Sarah Donovan. Each month she posts a 5 day Open Write which is a series of writing prompts hosted by teachers of writing. This month’s host was Kim Johnson. Kim drew mentor texts from great writers such as Jason Reynolds and Jericho Brown. I was drawn to a prompt from Jason Reynolds’ book Long Way Down, “The Way I Felt.”
It amazes me how a single prompt can turn out so many different individual responses. Go to the link to read the many touching responses. I am honored to be among them.
The Ultrasound
The way I felt
when you showed me
the ultrasound.Never knew love like this.
I held the tiny image
in the palm of my handcried
feeling a new world
opening. I planted.
I grew a fertile seed
now planted
in you.Fingers, toes,
Margaret Simon, draft
a nose!
Small person
coming to be
my grandchild.


My student Breighlynn in 4th grade was featured this week on Today’s Little Ditty. She took the ditty challenge to write a poem of presence. The Twitter hashtag continues. It’s not too late to jump in the fun!