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| photo via Unsplash |
We're there.
Top of the ramp,
crest of the rollercoaster's lift hill,
poised to commit to -- submit to -- the will
of gravity.
Let go.
Fly and fall
with stomach-dropping fear.
Lean into curves, anticipate apogees.
Transform possibility into reality.
©Mary Lee Hahn, 2020
This poem was inspired by Seth Godin's post today, Drop In. I especially liked this line, "The worse you can do is half."
Laura has this week's Poetry Friday roundup at Writing the World for Kids.
I love both the sound of and the meaning/resonance of submit to/commit to. Perfect poem for right now, Mary Lee!
ReplyDeleteSuch a great title. That "crest of rollercoaster's lift hill..."I can feel it just thinking about it! I used to love it. Not so much anymore. It's that "fly and fall" that get me. Okay, enough memory lane for me....thanks for that. I might need to put my head between my knees for a bit.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely what this year feels like! Like Laura, I love commit to/submit to. I also think it's super interesting the way you chose to break "the will of gravity." Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteThis whole poem is just teetering on words and moments. It seems the perfect poem for you all, facing the uncertainty of a new school year. I know you'll lean into the possibilities and do all you can to make them a positive reality.
ReplyDeleteStomach dropping fear is how I feel about going back into schools. I remember watching boys skateboarding in amazement at their ability to not fall and kill themselves.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the ride, Mary Lee! Glad I had my helmet on for these lines:
ReplyDelete"Lean into curves, anticipate apogees.
Transform possibility into reality"
(Full disclosure - I had to look up 'apogees'. Thanks for the introduction to a new word! :)
Taking care, like that helmet (or the mask) is something I hope more & more are doing. I too love that "Transform possibility into reality", inspiration needed! I'm seeing more motorized skateboards lately & wow, they move so fast!
ReplyDelete"The worse you can do is half" is interesting in something like skate boarding when the stakes are so high. I've never been daring like that, and those who are fascinate me.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Mary Lee. Committing to something frightening can be anything from getting out of bed in the morning to loving other people. Most of the time, there's no helmet, but there are possibilities to transform!
ReplyDeleteI love the way you capture a feeling, Mary Lee--concise and precise! Life feels like a rollercoaster, but more so lately. Instead of height checks before boarding, there will be temperature checks and self certification...Hoping we all get through this ride/time safely. Thank you for this! (I also had to look up "apogees"--new word for me!)
ReplyDeleteBe safe, be safe, be safe!
ReplyDeleteWe are there at the
ReplyDelete"apogees."poised to
"Transform possibility into reality."
Thanks for your powerful poem Mary Lee, and link to Seth Godin.
Ooh - this also is reminiscent of the haiku from last week - that shimmering moment of pause just before everything. Love it.
ReplyDeleteYes, that's about how I'm feeling these days too. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWhat a perfectly timely poem! You've captured that feeling of teetering on the edge so well. Our start of the year is still up in the air which leaves me feeling very unbalanced. I'm so glad you linked to Seth Godin's post. I also really liked the line "The worst you can do is half."
ReplyDeleteA short poem full of action and anticipation Mary Lee. You nailed it! Your poem had a relationship to Haiku for me.
ReplyDelete"Transform possibility into reality." Yes!
ReplyDelete"We're there." All of us, at the top of the ramp, with you in this poem. Love the energy, anticipation, and motion! xo
ReplyDeleteI love the challenge to transform possibility into reality, Mary Lee.
ReplyDeleteWould love to have paired this poem with the skateboard poem that was in our 6th grade anthology! You captured that crest of the hill feeling. And best of luck to you as you navigate a new teaching year.
ReplyDeleteThis reads like you are a skateboarder yourself, Mary Lee. Your fast-action poem with inspiration sets the tone.
ReplyDelete