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| photo via Unsplash |
Each day
I thread the needle of my heart
and stitch together
my quilt-square students
into a tapestry
of joy
and learning.
©Mary Lee Hahn, 2021
The WORK of teaching online does not relent. It's brutal. But I never could have imagined how deeply connected I would be to my students (and they to each other) without ever being together in person. There is joy every day. The joy of a student who has finally mastered the steps for long division, the joy of their creativity in creating websites, the joy of our little inside jokes (for example, the "Loading Loading Loading" song we sing).
I'm joining the Poetry Sisters' metaphor challenge today, and I look forward to tomorrow, when I'll read through the Poetry Friday roundup at Karen Edmisten* before I go and get my second COVID shot.
I adore how your poem captures both the joy and the pain of your experience. I feel both the stab of the needle and the pride of accomplishment. And I'm SO GLAD you're getting your second shot!
ReplyDeleteMary Lee, your short poem captures so much love for what you are doing. Quilting is a labor of love and attributing this to teaching makes for an amazing outpouring.
ReplyDeleteMary Lee, this is so lovely. Honestly, I think over and over again how lucky your students are (and the students of many of our PF community) to have you as a joyful and stabilizing and comforting force during these ridiculous times.
ReplyDeleteI imagine your classroom is like a quilt of student that have been inspired by you to find the joy in each day of learning. Wonderful poem! Thank you for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteI love your "threading the needle" metaphor, Mary Lee, am sure the quilt creation is one that students will keep for warmth in their memories & for the future. I get my 2nd shot tomorrow, too - hurrah! My younger grand is back 'in' school, but the older, middle school, too is doing so many wonderful things online, with her teachers & her classmates. Hugs to you for your own hard learning this year!
ReplyDeleteOh, drat...I waited for the site to load. But, I think my comment disappeared for real. Of course you are creating a quilt to cover and keep. It's who you are. An inspiration.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, beautiful, beautiful. You really made me pause and think about that deep connection - which is perhaps deeper than with any class you've taught, because of what it has come from. Take a deep breath and be inspired and revitalised.
ReplyDeleteYour poem reminds me of another teacher friend who has found great joy in teaching this year despite the challenges of being online. I love the idea of teaching as a quilt.
ReplyDeleteYour poem is a 'tapestry' of joy, Mary Lee, as you blanket your students (and us!) with your goodness! And woo-hoo to your covid vaccination! One jab closer...
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this, Mary Lee. I was speaking with an educator friend of mine who echoed your words: Her teaching team worked hard to make sure they connected with their virtual students. Your poem is lovely, highlighting that teaching is an art.
ReplyDeleteInasmuch as quilting is an art as well as a labor of love, and no mere hobby, I think this is a strong metaphor for teaching.
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful metaphor. I can see you and your students quilted together in a beautiful tapestry.
ReplyDeleteWell, that could not be a more perfect metaphor, could it? "needle of my heart"--should I say "ahhh" or "ouch"? Do you think the connections are more intense because we have tried so hard to ensure them?
ReplyDeleteMary Lee, you have stitched together the perfect expression of teaching. And your second shot? I'm so happy for you!
ReplyDeleteSo great - I love your quilting metaphor, and I love how you are doing online learning so very well, and I love that you got vaccinated. Yay!
ReplyDeleteWhat a marvelous poem–your metaphor, "I thread the needle of my heart/and stitch together/my quilt-square students" Such an image you've created–I can touch and taste it! And yes it's hard and brutal, but you are giving them so much they will carry with them forever. And Yay to your 2nd shot––mine's out there somewhere on the Chicago horizon…
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