Patricia Franz is hosting this month’s Spiritual Thursday with the topic of “Love is”. I decided to create a collaborative poem with my students. I teach gifted kids at 2 schools in grades 2-6. I wrote their statements in my notebook in the order they gave them to me. It worked like a miracle without changing any words. (The reference to washi tape is due to the fact we are using it in our daily notebook practice.)
Love is
washi, washi, washi tape,
family, friends, teacher,
arts and crafts,
having fun. (A)
The heart of all. (JR)The heart of a human being
when you have kindness in your heart. (J)Spending time with friends and family. (C)
Love is
beautiful. (S)Love is a priceless
treasure, like nothing
else in this world. (M)Something we need, want, and have. (M)
Love is
a melody.
It could be chaotic
or the greatest
song you have heard. (A)Love is
Collaborative poem by Avalyn, John-Robert, James, Carson, Sadie, Max, Marifaye, Adelyn, Kailyn
companionship between
one another. The thought
that someone
would always be there
for you.
This is what love is. (K)
The great wisdom of children amazes me every day.
Whenever I think of Love is, I turn to the well-known verse from Paul’s Letter to the Corinthians: “Love is patient. Love is kind.” I think we can measure our love by this verse. How are we doing with our patience, kindness, envy, anger? I also wonder how I am doing with loving myself. If I believe that there is a God-light in me, then I must nurture it. I must turn inward each day to check in. Am I loving myself?
I’ve adopted a daily practice of writing small poems. The Stafford Challenge inspired me to use a quote each day to jump-start my writing. Here is a quote followed by an elfchen poem:
When you say ‘yes’ to others, make sure you are not saying ‘no’ to yourself. (Paulo Coelho)
Yes
Margaret Simon, daily elfchen
makes sounds
like the ocean
drawing me to love
Myself
How are you giving love to others while also making time to love yourself?
Reflections on the Teche 