Friday, January 05, 2018

Poetry Friday -- #optimism









I dwell in Possibility – (466)
by Emily Dickinson

I dwell in Possibility –
A fairer House than Prose –
More numerous of Windows –
Superior – for Doors –

Of Chambers as the Cedars –
Impregnable of eye –
And for an everlasting Roof
The Gambrels of the Sky –

Of Visitors – the fairest –
For Occupation – This –
The spreading wide my narrow Hands
To gather Paradise –



This year, I covered all my bases. I chose One Little Word: CREATIVITY. I wrote a 6 word story for the new year: More of this, less of that. My hashtag for the year is #optimism (thus the poem by Emily Dickinson, and while we're on the subject, may I just say how very much I miss the view from the window of my former classroom...you see it in every season in that set of photos...sigh...). Finally, my learn-something-new goal is to create an app. (Insert #optimism here, because I have exactly NO idea how to go about creating an app. However, today I'm beginning work with a group of students who are learning to code at code.org, so I feel like I'll be on the right path to figure it out.)

Catherine has this week's Poetry Friday roundup at Reading to the Core.



26 comments:

  1. I LOVE your 6-word story!! And, you inspire me...

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  2. What a beautiful poem to set course for 2018. I admire your sense of purpose. Those six words say it all, don't they. Fingers crossed the less of this will dazzle you.

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  3. Three cheers for optimism, creativity, and joy! YES!

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  4. Here's to gathering paradise! You picked a lovely poem and word, Mary Lee.

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  5. As you dwell in possibility and optimism, we dwell in inspiration.

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  6. Creating an app? I am in awe You have made me realize that I can incorproate one of the words I want for my OLW as a #word.

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  7. A Mary Lee app! That sounds awesome. Yay for learning a new language (because that's what coding is!). Do keep us posted. xo

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  8. I really like your 6 word story, and OPTIMISM is a gem! "Possibility," what a wonderful place to "dwell in."Thanks for all Mary Lee!

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  9. Creating an app, what an exciting goal. I hope you have coding joy!

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  10. An app?! Whoa. Color me impressed, and good luck! I love how the spare, succinctness of your resolution.

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  11. Sorry about the window. I did love the views I had through the years. The poem does illuminate your word beautifully. Hurrah for "For Occupation – This –" Happy New Year, Mary Lee!

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  12. So much to enjoy in this post! You're definitely starting the year off in a positive fashion. I can't wait to hear about your coding experiences and I love that 6 word story. You've covered all the bases in style!

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  13. Your photos bleed optimism--those geraniums (?) blooming resolutely red through all the seasons. You have indeed covered all your bases, and I'm wishing you a paradise home run!

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  14. Oh I do love the view out your window. I'm blessed with an equally lovely view which inspires me and my optimistic Kindergarten writers daily. HNY! -- Christie @ https://wonderingandwondering.wordpress.com/

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  15. Happy New Year full of possibilities!

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  16. I'm so excited to see what kind of app you come up with, Mary Lee! The opening line of this poem always makes me thinks of shelves full of yet-to-be-read books: I dwell in the possibility that I will read them all!

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  17. Love this Dickinson poem. Thanks for sharing. As for your app, you may want to consider one of several burgeoning "no code" or "low code" platforms instead of learning to code from scratch. I would personally recommend Bubble (bubble.is) for web apps.

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    1. Thanks for the tip, Ed! Bubble looks like a place to start!

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  18. Mary Lee, you already have the creativity wrangled! I suppose your real goal is to be creative every day? One question about the app--what is your goal in creating it? What are you trying to do with the app that you can't do adequately without an app? I find that many people start out working on an app without having a clearly defined outcome. I'm sure you have one in mind, but I'm just curious. (Nosy?) Best of luck in your endeavors!

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    1. Diane, even though it might look from the outside like I've got creativity wrangled, I have a real tendency to stay in ruts. So, for me, "creativity" also means "flexibility" and "risk-taking!"

      I've actually thought a lot about the why for the app-making goal. What can I possibly make that others haven't? Plus, I doubt app-building will be an on-going hobby/passion (not like writing poetry, baking cakes or fly fishing), so why bother? I guess the main reason is to try something/learn something new that's way outside my comfort zone and persevere through to a final product.

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    2. Plus, if you're working with kids, you're giving them a skill that is in demand and can be demonstrated.

      I'm like you, I always prefer a challenge.

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  19. Mary Lee, there is so much positivity in your post. First of all, optimism is a great word. It brings all sort of possibilities to mind, one of which is your new venture as an app maker. How fascinating! Like you, I have a favorite window that I look out from. I, too, watch the seasons pass by. I'll be watching your creativity flow with your #oneword as your guide.

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  20. Lovely poem and inspiring goals. I think we could all use a little more optimism this year. I can't wait to hear how your app adventure goes.

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  21. I love your word - optimism and I'll buy your app!

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  22. What a wonderful collection of goals/guidance for the new year. I am sure you are going to move through the year embracing each new possibility.

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  23. Oh, the possibilities of a new year...thanks, Mary Lee!

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