For 2021, I chose Inspire as my guiding One Little Word. How’s it going? Truth be told, I’m tired. This is our last day of school. This has been a weird year. Long in so many ways. Yet here we are again. Summer sun hangs high in the sky. Temperatures rise, and I crave the scent of chlorine and sunscreen.
Last week on a day when I was cleaning up and wondering how it is that I keep so much stuff from year to year, my colleague Erica came into my room. She teaches 4th grade next door to me, and I teach her daughter in gifted. She said, “I was channeling my best Margaret Simon. Look what we did! Black-out poetry!” She was so excited to show me the results.
As I think about inspire, I count the ways in which others inspire me; Artists, poets, musicians, all fill me with the desire to create. I hadn’t thought about how I inspire others. The 4th grade black-out poems made my heart swell. Erica knew it would.
Inspire is a communication of the heart,
a creative connection,
a gift to the world.
no idea
what was in store for me
too perfect
love
share
each other
as one
Believe me.
Reflections on the Teche 
Oh, how beautiful! I love that your inspiration became something to share and be shared back with you. You inspire me! I find myself feeling awkward in moments when getting compliments like the one you describe…I need to learn to accept them with more grace. I love how you accepted this compliment and shared it out with us. That last found phrase, “believe me.” Perfect!
Wow, look at you inspiring and being inspired even during a tough year! I love that quote from your teacher friend, “I was channeling my best Margaret Simon.” Those poems are precious, and a perfect illustration for how your one word is going in 2021! You’ve inspired many of my poems this year!
Margaret, if there is any word that chose you and guides you in your endeavors, it is inspire. It has allowed you to find your center, send out your love, and be a model to others. It has also held you in high esteem with others as evidenced by Linda and Denise’s thoughts above. It is a gentle word that rises and surrounds you, allowing your creativity to find outlets, witnessed by This Photo Wants to Be a Poem. The black out zentangle poems are lovely and what a gift!
Big message of truth from these fourth graders!
It does feel good to know you have inspired another. Kudos for this, Margaret, and for the sharing your story. I wish you a restful summer, inspiring in it’s simplicity and beauty.
I’ve never written black out poetry, but this post and the 4th graders products are inspiring me to give it a try. Maybe it’s a way to step out of my comfort zone! Love the honesty in your words, “Truth be told, I’m tired.” Those words made me smile and be amazed that you posted on your last day of school.
Hoping to channel my best Margaret Simon soon as I attempt black out poetry.
Happy summer! Relax, rest, and bask in the summer sun.
I am tired, too, Margaret – all the teachers at my school were dragging yesterday, running on empty, it seems. Not so unusual at this time of year, just feeling it exponentially. Craving sunscreen and chlorine – yes! – and ocean sounds and breezes, salt on my tongue, my feet sinking in sand. I haven’t been to the beach since 2019 we plan to go sometime this summer. this coming week is my last before summer break – am fantasizing about the luxury of just being home, not having a schedule, writing more freely! As for your OLW, “inspire” could be your life’s word, Margaret. I am always inspired by you. “Channeling my best Margaret Simon” – love that! So should we all! I know your artistry is inspired from the spiritual wellspring in your soul, and I am grateful for it, for you, and for these magnificent blackout poems from your students.
It has been a year seemingly lacking in inspiration, with all the twists and turns we’ve been through. Seems you got a God-spark just when you needed a reminder of your OLW. We never really know how others perceive us unless they share those insights; lucky you to have received such a delightful moment. This group inspires me to take the time to dig a bit deeper and find a bit more joy each day.