Take me back to a time
not that long ago
when honoring diversity
and embracing the whole child
was a thing.
When we passed a megaphone,
showering our truths in safe spaces
with finger snaps
and fist bumps.
Take me back to a time
before we were muzzled,
not by our masks,
but by a movement
to silence
the humanity in the room.
Inspired by “Note to the Universe” by Kai Dotlich.
Writing to share feels exceptionally daunting this year, as I’m sure it does for many others. Inspiration is hard to come by. Frustration and anger pulse through my veins more often than I’d like to admit. Today’s poem is a longing for a time when teachers were viewed as advocates who celebrated youth and amplified their voices, not as destructive forces with the intent to do harm.
Thanks to a close teacher friend who provided inspiration to write this week. She gifted me A Field Guide to the Heart by Georgia Heard & Rebecca Kai Dotlich, a book of poems with spaces to reflect.
The Way I See It 
I am not super fond of writing either. Well I like it, but it doesn’t come easy for me. I get down too, sometimes, with the state of affairs, and I sure am looking for inspiration from this group to stay positive-minded. 🙂
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Yes! If we begin with humanity, everything is possible. If we begin with judgement and division, we will go nowhere but down. Terrific first slice!
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I love your poem. Thanks for sharing. I gifted that book to myself, and I am hoping to find inspiration for my writing and nourishment for my soul. Looking forward to reading more of your slices.
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I agree with you that we must find inspiration where we can. Georgia Heard for the win!
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Amy, so glad I get to read your writing for the next 30 days! Love this honest poem. So real. So true.
So glad we both still show up despite the time we are living in.
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Wow, what a poem. This weighs heavy on my heart, so powerful. “When we passed a megaphone, / showering our truths in safe spaces / with finger snaps /and fist bumps” provided such great imagery. Thank you for sharing and go you!
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I miss that time, too. It makes me want to invite students to stand on chairs again and speak their truths. Set the time machine to the present, please, and bring a bag full of souvenirs.
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Raw and real, like many of our emotions. It is much harder to write (and read) this year because of this baggage, but I thank you for putting these thoughts on paper and documenting this moment in time.
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