This is the week of five days of open writing with Ethical ELA. Sarah Donovan has created a safe place for teacher-writers to “play” with poetry. One of her prompts this week asked us to consider what we give. Along with many of you, I give instruction for writing every day, but it’s not every day that I witness success. But when I do, I find Joy. This poem celebrates all teachers who wave their wands every day, whether or not there is magic inside.
Magic Bean
How a writer is made
some think comes from a magic bean–
it just is
this writer can’t help but write & write,
but I know better.I know a writer comes from the magic wand
of a teacher who told her
she was.A teacher finds magic
in the light of a child’s words,
rubs the lantern again & again.
She knows the power of waiting,
of how a seed of an idea
can sprout
if you give it
nourishment
& time.I love most
Margaret Simon
the smile of realization
“Wow! I wrote that!”
Pride from my wishing
which, in the end,
is me working magic,
still unknown,
still a mystery.
Reflections on the Teche 
I loved this poem when I read it yesterday. There is so much that cannot be measured in a lesson evaluation or standardized testing or even an assignment. That magic in the wand is powerful stuff. It keeps some of us coming back for more against all odds.
Thank you for sharing this poem. As I read it, I found myself picturing the students who experienced “Pride from my wishing”. Your words perfectly describe and celebrate writing teachers!
Yes! Here’s to another day of wishing and telling and working magic! Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
She knows the power of waiting,
of how a seed of an idea
can sprout
Teachers of writing hold the wand that turns the ordinary into the magical.
Your poem speaks volumes, Margaret.
[…] Magic Bean […]
Such important seeds, encouragement, and recognition of your students writing you provide to them, thanks for these and for your reflective acknowledging poem!