On the first Friday of the month, Inklings (my trusty writing group) respond to a challenge. Mary Lee made it easy this month. She asked us to type a color into the public domain image archive and find a photo to write about. I chose lilac. I immediately got a photo I knew was telling a story. I imagined that Lilas and the bug are having a conversation.
How Lilas Learns of Love (a cherita)
With draping lilacs for long locks,
Lilas questions Sir Ladybug,
“Where will my love grow?”Love grows from a starter seed
planted small in your heart
until with wisdom, grace, and tender care…Blooms!Margaret Simon, draft
To see other Inkling poems, visit their blogs:
Linda @A Word Edgewise
Mary Lee @ A(nother) Year of Reading
Molly @ Nix the Comfort Zone (and oh boy, did she ever…)
Heidi @my juicy little universe
Catherine @ Reading to the Core
Bob suggested we ponder the idea that doors may close while another one opens, how focusing on the closed door may lead us to miss the open one. My father spoke about this in his firm belief that there is always a resurrection. Jesus showed us in a very real sense that when someone dies, it is not the end. I’ve always prided myself on a belief in the resurrection; however, when faced with an actual closed door, a death of something in my life that I put my trust in, whether it be a job, a friendship, a manuscript, I get lost and lonely and question. That is the rough part of the death/resurrection story arc.
I am following a path to a new journey to retirement. This is a door I’ve chosen, but even so, I have mixed feelings. So many of my days with my students are good, happy, and fulfilling. I will miss teaching, I know. I also know I’m a teacher through and through. I chose this career when I was 15 years old. I will find ways to still be a teacher. I keep telling myself this truth, but it’s not easy. When I tell people I’m retiring, I hear “Congratulations!” I wish I could feel excited. Is it the closed door I fear? Or the open one I’m unsure about?
Reflections on the Teche 
Your poem is as sweet as the illustration! And I adore the idea of love as a started seed. So rarely does it appear fully-grown. We must nurture it.
Margaret, closing the door on a lifelong career and opening the door to retirement is a difficult choice. I have been there. There is some fear in not knowing what is waiting for us behind this new door we are opening. I wish you well on this new journey.
I loved the idea of picking a color to find a painting.
I also thought I would always teach in someway but after a few years I realized this is a time for me to become a learner again. Finding new things to explore. I call it re firement!
I’m adopting that term. Makes it all sound exciting!
You remember how I was calling it “rewirement”–and here I am, all rewired as a Teaching Artist, teaching and learning All Poetry All the Time! And still I’m grieving what I had to jettison in order to leave….
I think the cherita is the perfect form for your poem, Margaret, and thinking of love as a starter seed is such a beautiful image. May many doors open for you in retirement.
Praying for you, Margaret, that this new seed –retirement — will bring forth new fruit in your life and all those whom you touch. 🙂
Oh, that’s an excellent prompt. Love the poem, Margaret. This could be a fun series. The “florid and floral” writing of the original is kind of a hoot, too. I’ll have to ask my husband if he ever cried over flowers. Seeing as he’s a Brooklyn guy who grew up in a house with a concrete backyard (literally), I think I know the answer!
I love the characters of Lilas and Sir Ladybug (about whom I am extra curious!)–perhaps they’ll reappear?
Hi Margaret,
I love the challenge the inklings did. Your words pair so lovely with the image. Thanks to for sharing your thoughts on closing doors and the spiritual mystery of it all. I too believe in resurrection. During every Good Friday in my life, I try to remind my self that Easter is coming. Having recently retired, I can say for certain that you will find your new doors being grateful for what was and what is to come. Best of luck!
Margaret, what a beautiful post. Refirement, rewirement, retirement–that is a big door opening. I can see why you are feeling concerned. But you are right in that the teaching door will stay open. You will find ways to teach, as you say.
Sir Ladybug (such a clever name) has some great wisdom in your cherita. I love Lilas’ long lilac locks.
How charming “How Lilas Learns of Love” is, it just fills you up inside. I think it would make a lovely and enchanting book different characters from nature asking, “Where will my love grow?” thanks Margaret!
Thanks for that. Storystorm led me down so many different paths, my head is spinning.
I love that you wrote of the “starter seed” from that lovely painting, so filled with story, Margaret. You’re writing your own story, continuing on new paths. Best wishes as you take the new steps!
Oh, boy…I feel like you are reading my mind and heart with, ” I get lost and lonely and question.” No matter what decision I make I wonder and question. I’m in a similar but not same position for next year. I’ve been at this education game long enough to remind myself that I’ve always been an adventurer and not prone to live in fear…so go ahead, take the jump (I say to myself) because I will find the good in it. And now, I say to you friend, go ahead, take the jump. You will find so much good in it! At the same time you miss teaching I don’t believe anyone or anything could take it out of you, Margaret Simon. You are and will always be a teacher–maybe in a different way next year. Enjoy every moment of walking from one door to the next.
I know in my heart that what you say is true, but when I sit with my kids and make art and poetry with them, I fear I won’t ever make these connections again. Thanks for your support!
“Love grows from a starter seed” — love that.
Retirement … refirement … rewirement … so much to ponder. We adopt so much of our identity from our work/vocation that it’s hard to imagine not defining ourselves in that way. Sending hugs and prayers as you look at new starter seeds, Margaret.
Thanks for making a connection I did not even see between starter seed and retirement.
Margaret, I feel your heart in this post. I love “Love grows from a starter seed planted small in your heart.” And I feel your ambivalence about retirement. Randy is retiring in April, and I’ve been wrestling with the privilege of being able to make some choices about how much and HOW I want to continue to work. I will keep writing and trying to publish poetry and picture books. But I’m letting lots of other things go. If you’d want to Zoom one day and have a sounding board, Margaret, just let me know. I sure don’t have the answers. But I’m feeling more peaceful and excited about my own path forward.
Laura, such a generous offer. I’d love that. I am planning some things and would love to bounce around ideas with you.
Margaret, they will never take the teacher out of you. You will find many opportunities to share your love of writing and creation, even after rewirement.
My friend wanted to throw me a retirement party and I asked her to do it on the first day of school since I knew that day would feel bittersweet. Something tells me you’ll find plenty of ways to share your talents and love. Godspeed on this new journey!
I love the wisdom of Sir Ladybug. I agree with Heidi about hearing more from him. As for retirement, you will rock it!
Margaret, I read your post several times but never followed through with a comment because I am in another one of those life interrupted phases again. This time it is my husband who is in the hospital.
Love grows from a starter seed
planted small in your heart
These lines are so beautiful. They bring the good news of love brimming over. Your combined SJT and PF is wonderful. May you continue to walk the pathway to retirement with grace. While it may have its differences, it will open doors for you. Keep looking!