Even though I’m not teaching daily, I still subscribe to Teach This Poem. This week I used the lesson to prompt my own writing. The model poem was Ok, Let’s Go by Maureen McLane and included a painting by Claude Monet, “Impression, Sunrise.” I usually write as the sun is rising, so the artwork echoed for me the sun rising over the bayou. I also used two of the words from my Wordle guess.
Dawn School
After Maureen McLane
Dawn school
begins without me
as it settles sun rays
upon still water.
Let’s be here
where the teachers
are cypress knees
and squawking herons.
Sunrise impression
is a silhouette hovering
over tainted tin
of a resting Joe boat
Waiting to mark me present.
Margaret Simon, draft
Reflections on the Teche 
Beautiful, Margaret.
I really enjoy the sense of presence, being with this sunrise in your poem, all the alliterating sounds, and your closing silhouette stanza too! Also Maureen McLane’s poem—really rich, thanks!
Love the teaching metaphor, Margaret.
Teach is on of my go-to wordle choices. It worked for this poem. Thanks.
Beautiful, Margaret. I especially like:
where the teachers
are cypress knees
and squawking herons.
Loved this.
Thank you also for your recent post that referred to the Hennesseys’ Mysteries of Love deck of oracles.
M
Martha K.S. Patrick Pawtucket, Rhode Island, USA & Gümüşlük, Muğla, Turkiye
*Gönülden gönüle yol** vardır. *Turkish Proverb From one heart to another there is a path.
I love the ‘teacherly’ mood, Margaret. Outside beauty shows us the most important things in life, like the beautiful things in your bayou!
I love your lines-
Dawn school
begins without me
as it settles sun rays
upon still water.
Looking at the painting (which is foggy and mysterious and lovely), I can imagine all the lessons that this dawn school might teach. I find nature is the best teacher.
Sign me up for Dawn School on the Bayou!
I have a book coming out about twilight (and crepuscular plants and animals). I LOVE the idea of “dawn school.”
Great! I love the word “crepuscular “!
Margaret, I don’t think teachers ever stop teaching. Dawn School is open. “Waiting to mark me present.” Well said!
Enjoy your school outdoors and continue writing lovely poems.
Hi wonderful Margaret,
Appreciations for both links & your sensitive ekphrastic pairing with Mr. Monet!
Your lines,
“where the teachers
are cypress knees”
resonates deeply for me & is just brilliant. Teachers are everywhere, Alyce Faye Duncan says this weekend on Irene Latham’s post & I feel for an honored career educator such as yourself, there is no end to the illumination you bring to all ages.Today, you have taught me. More thanks. your fan, jan
Enchanting, Margaret, and so excited to be with you in PERSON in Georgia these few days!!!
Enchanting, Margaret! So happy to get to be with you in PERSON in Georgia these couple-few days. :0)
Lovely, Margaret. I used to sub a bit and this reminded me of those days. I especially liked the second stanza and also, marking me present – which changed greatly with the advent of computerization – didn’t it?! Thanks for sharing. I hope you are well.
Nature is often my teacher, though I’ll admit not at sunrise, as I’m less of a morning person than you. 😉
Margaret, what a beautiful poem with lots of imagery and sounds. I love as “it settles sun rays/upon still water.” I love where the “teachers / are cypress knees /and squawking herons.” I also love “is a silhouette hovering /over tainted tin /of a resting Joe boat.” Thank you for the link to Maureen’s poem and teach this poem. I always learn so much from your poetry and you are also so inspiring. I suspect that your students have been missing you. I almost forgot how clever the last line brings us back full circle to the first stanza.
Your specific feedback is so generous. Thanks!
Your welcome.