Today, I offer a new response to the prompt of Spiritual Journey, which you can find more offerings to this prompt at my friend Carol's space Beyond LiteracyLink.

May your wanderings always lead you to your just right destination. Happy writing!

Think about your perfect journey or destination. Reflect on the path and the challenges you might face along the way. What keeps you going? 

I have accepted an invitation from a friend to respond to Ruth Hersey's Spiritual Journey prompt of the month HERE at her space. I was inspired to write a poem about how I deal with facing uncertainty and that pesky statement for me of "I don't know." Enjoy and happy writing!

How do you face uncertainties and the idea of not knowing? Describe your perspective.

Think about a time that you were really close to something you really wanted. Reflect on that experience. Describe the way you handled the situation. What were your trials and triumphs? Happy writing!

Happy Poetry Friday! I'm a little late to the party, but my sweet friend Carol Varsalona invited me to post. She is hosting this weekend at her space HERE. She's got some amazing post card offerings!

Today, I'm sharing a haiku that I wrote on New Year's Eve. I am in a professional transition right now, so the idea of detouring onto a different course has been on my mind. I love the idea of thinking of a detour with excitement and adventure awaiting. I hope that whatever points are on your arc this year continue to guide you, but may you also embrace the chance of detour. You never know where it might lead you!

Think about your arc for the new year. What are your guiding points? How will connect each one? Don't be afraid to detour. If you should, how will you embrace the new course? Happy writing! xx

Happy Poetry Friday! It's so great to be visiting the round up. I'm grateful that our sweet friend, Carol is hosting this week at her space, Beyond LiteracyLink. 

Throughout the month of November, I have taken some time to consider the simple things in my life and my gratefulness for them. I need only step out into nature, and I am reminded of the blissful way it calls to me. These days it is one of the things that is always sure to fill my cup. This old elm tree is one such majestic being that brings joy time and time again. It is particularly lovely in the autumn as it turns, and when there is also a full harvest moon on the rise, a poem is destined to emerge. For this poem, the words came to me in threes. Soon, images began to form and words tumbled on the page.

I invite you to be inspired by the "power of threes" strategy in my invitation below. May it stir your poetry spirit! 

As it so often happens in fairy tales. many things happen in threes. For this poem, I brainstormed a list of strong verbs. I arranged them and re-arranged them until I found my perfect combination of three. Afterward, I stepped out on my back porch and let nature do the rest! I focused in on the sights, sounds, and smells around me. I invite you to try out your own  "power of three" poem as well. Once you have your three, allow yourself to immerse into your senses. Retreat to your own oasis for inspiration and let the pen carry you to wherever it may.

Happy Poetry Friday! Welcome to the ridge! I am excited to be hosting the round up this week. Thanks for visiting, and be sure to leave your link for others to enjoy!

This week, I would like to share a few poems by one of my favorite poets, Paul Laurence Dunbar. He is known for his dialectic poetry collections, novels, essays, short stories, and other poems. If you would like to learn more about his life and accomplishments, HERE is a link to an article with more information.

The two poems I would like to share are "Sympathy" and "We Wear the Mask." Enjoy!
​
Sympathy
BY PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR
I know what the caged bird feels, alas!
    When the sun is bright on the upland slopes;   
When the wind stirs soft through the springing grass,   
And the river flows like a stream of glass;
    When the first bird sings and the first bud opes,   
And the faint perfume from its chalice steals--
I know what the caged bird feels!

I know why the caged bird beats his wing
    Till its blood is red on the cruel bars;   
For he must fly back to his perch and cling   
When he fain would be on the bough a-swing;
    And a pain still throbs in the old, old scars   
And they pulse again with a keener sting--
I know why he beats his wing!

I know why the caged bird sings, ah me,
    When his wing is bruised and his bosom sore,--
When he beats his bars and he would be free;
It is not a carol of joy or glee,
    But a prayer that he sends from his heart’s deep core,   
But a plea, that upward to Heaven he flings--
I know why the caged bird sings!

Paul Laurence. Dunbar, "“Sympathy.”" from The Complete Poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar. (New York: Dodd, Mead and Company, )
Source: Twentieth-Century American Poetry (2004)

We Wear the Mask
BY PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR
We wear the mask that grins and lies,
It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes,--
This debt we pay to human guile;
With torn and bleeding hearts we smile,
And mouth with myriad subtleties.

Why should the world be over-wise,
In counting all our tears and sighs?
Nay, let them only see us, while
       We wear the mask.

We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries
To thee from tortured souls arise.
We sing, but oh the clay is vile
Beneath our feet, and long the mile;
But let the world dream otherwise,
       We wear the mask!

Paul Laurence. Dunbar, "“We Wear the Mask.”" from The Complete Poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar. (New York: Dodd, Mead and Company, )

A poet's words can often sustain us and change us all at once. With each word and line, our own emotions are unmasked. When we truly connect with a poem, it becomes a part of us. In this way, our favorite poems can be windows to our souls. Take some time to reread your favorite poems. Keep them close to you throughout the day. Memorize a line or the whole poem if you can. What do you value about these poems? How do the words of your favorite poems change you and sustain you? 

Happy Poetry Friday! It's great to be back in the round up this week! For more poetry bliss, be sure to visit Christie's space, Wondering and Wandering.

I'm taking some much needed time this week to return to my writing life. While it brings me joy to be continuing to provide learning at home to my students and my own children, I am also reminded of the importance of taking care of myself. I think that is so crucial for all of us to do for ourselves and for others. Taking time to write or to do the thing you love is necessary right now more than ever. Whatever your heart is calling you to do, I wish you hope and courage to make the time to do it, for you.  

Writing has the power to heal. It can provide us with an outlet to express ourselves in ways we never imagined. I invite you to set aside some time for you. Do the thing that makes your heart happy and your hope soar. Be present in the experience. Take it all in. Grab your favorite writing tools and write whatever comes.

Happy Poetry Friday! I am excited to be back in the roundup this week. Thanks for visiting the ridge. You can find lots more of the poetry fun happening at Sally's space HERE!

From now on, I choose brave. It was the one word destined to be my focus for the new year. It kept bubbling up in poems and books that I had been reading. Many of my friends and colleagues even started calling me brave. It's interesting because I never would have described myself as brave. I would call myself a risk-taker. I often seek out opportunities to stretch beyond my comfort level. But to me, being brave goes even deeper than that. The dictionary defines brave as:

By that definition, I realize I really am brave. I have had to show courage, and I have had to endure many emotional hardships this past year. But somehow, I found my voice. I found my brave. It comes from a deep urge inside of me to speak, to share, to witness, and to question. I am better for it. I will always choose brave. 

Now is the time to be brave for ourselves, for each other, for our world. We must be brave together. As I gaze up at the full January Wolf moon, I am reminded of the courage that it takes to be truly brave.

What is your brave? How would you define it? What does it look like, feel like, sound like? Brave heart, write! You have a courageous story to tell.

Happy Poetry Friday, friends! Thank you for visiting me at the ridge. For more of the round-up, head over to Poetry for Children.

This week, I am sharing an image poem that I am offering to Carol Varsalona for her #EmbraceableSummer gallery. You can find out more about Carol's invitation at her space HERE. Thanks for the inspiration, Carol!

You can create an image poem, too! Some of my favorite digital creation tools are Canva and Buncee. Adding an image or animation to your poem can be so much fun.

Happy Poetry Friday! Kat is hosting this week at her space HERE. Be sure to visit for more poetic creations!

It makes my heart glad to be back in the round-up this week. I am grateful to this community of writers who are always inviting others into the group and graciously welcoming them back. I am ready to regain my writing life and begin again!

This week, I'm doing just that by going back to my roots and the art of noticing. Taking time to simply notice and reflect is so essential. Noticing is an act of inward contemplation. We take in what we observe with our senses, and let it out as we perceived it. The images and scenes we describe can come to life with our words. The art of noticing is powerful. The world is our canvas, and we are artists with our words.

Try sketching a scene with your words. What do you notice or observe around you? Tune into your senses and let your words paint the picture. You can set the mood and tone to make your image come alive.  

Happy Poetry Friday! Thanks so much for visiting the ridge. Be sure to head over to Dani's space HERE! You are sure to find poetry delights waiting for you! 

When I think about endurance, I think of a long distance runner. I picture the runner forging forward and getting stronger with each mile. There is pain. There is exhaustion. And despite all this, the runner surges forward. The runner knows something about what lies ahead. That's why the runner pushes past the pain and past the exhaustion. The runner knows that through endurance, there is triumph. The runner knows something else, too. At the end of the run, there is fulfillment in the journey.

Picturing the endurance of the runner, gives me hope. Whenever I feel like giving up, I think of the runner. I think of the courage and strength it takes to keep going. There must be many times the runner feels like stopping, but the runner understands what it means to endure. It's not easy, but it's necessary. I remind myself of this daily. I must endure to succeed. This poem is a reflection of what endurance means to me. It takes courage and strength to reach the finish line. When we do, we realize the true test was not the race but rather our endurance to push through our doubt along the way. The result, no matter what it is, changes us in unmistakable ways. In the end, we are better equipped to endure the next race.  

No matter what race you endure, remember that there is courage and strength with each step you take. Writing about times or situations that have tested your endurance can help you reflect and move forward. Take some time to jot down what endurance means to you. How have the things you've endured changed you or grown you?

Happy Poetry Friday! I'm excited to be back in the round up this week. Thank you to my sweet friend, Carol for the invitation to join in the fun this week! She's hosting for us at her space at Beyond LiteracyLink.

Today, my heart sings. For the past couple of days, I have had a young Purple Martin swallow circling the skies above my yard singing the most beautiful notes I have ever heard. He sings and churtles, hoping to make a friend. His heart song is love. It comes from deep within, as it does from all of us. He shares his song with an open heart for all the world to hear. My hope is that we all continue singing our heart song to share the love within. When we do, we spread the pure joy that lives inside of us.

Heart Song
gladness fills the soul
sing of love and hope once more
a heart song of joy

Our heart speaks to us. Sometimes it's a whisper, and sometimes it's loud and clear! Think about the song of your heart. What does it say to you? Perhaps you can hear it's refrain. Listen closely. Describe what you hear. Have fun writing a heart song poem of your own!

Happy Poetry Friday! Thank you for visiting the ridge. Be sure to stop by Karen's space HERE for more of the round up!

As I continue to embrace the power of hope, I also remind myself of my dreams and vision for the future. It's important for me to lean into these thoughts and reflections. I invite you to think about your hopes and aspirations as well. Wherever they may lead, dreams and hopes are always a path worth following.

Dreams and wishes make great incentives to write. What are some of the things you dream of? Find some time throughout the coming weeks to write about your dreams and hopes. Sometimes, the simple act of capturing them in words can help make them come true.

Happy Poetry Friday! It's great to be back in the round up this week. Thank you for visiting the ridge, and please stop by Carol's Corner for more of this week's collection of poetry!

Hope is a beautiful thing, especially when it has wings. It's just the kind of hope I needed after experiencing a difficult time. I remember feeling so lost and detached from a path I wanted to take very much. As humans, we have a yearning to belong, to feel a part of something bigger. We are driven to connect, and remembering connects us to our identity. When I lost sight of my goal and the realization that I might not achieve it, I returned to my memories of hope. It turns out, I had many of them waiting for me in my notebooks to remind me of hope.

While this poem is about waiting with silent hope for my dear Purple Martin swallows to return to the skies, it's more about returning to myself. I needed to remember the things that are most important to me. I needed to find a new hope. And with this new hope, I have found delight in the peaceful way in which it has arrived.

How does remembering help you connect to your identity? Where do you find new hope?

Happy Poetry Friday, friends! It's a great week to celebrate poetry and friendship! Head over to Jone's space HERE for more poetry celebrations!

This week, I'm sharing a friendship poem about my very special friend, who happens to be a  tree. Yes, that's right! Even trees can be friends! In fact, I have many tree friends on the ridge. I love to gaze up at them and walk beneath their sturdy branches. They are very wise and have many stories to tell. Trees are one of nature's friends that I connect with just like a friend. What objects do you consider friends? I invite you to think about the friends in your life. They might be a person, place, or thing. What makes these friends special? Consider your friendships. What makes those connections valuable and important to you? Try writing a friendship poem to one of your favorite friends!

People and pets are often thought of as friends, but objects can be friends, too! Sometimes, we can develop a very special feeling or connection to an object. This object can be a companion of sorts. We can spend lots of time with our special object and even talk to it! In this way, our object becomes well loved, like a dear friend. Think of objects that are special to you. Make a list and jot down reasons why you connect to the object. You're sure to find a friendship poem hiding inside your writing about your very special friend!  

Happy Poetry Friday, friends! This week, Tabatha is hosting the roundup at her space, The Opposite of Indifference. You'll find many poetry delights waiting for you there!

This week, I will be wrapping up a month long blog series centered around reflection. I have learned so much about myself as a writer throughout this series and will continue to do so, but the thing that has bubbled up the most for me throughout this process, is that response drives reflection. Response is a powerful action. Our response to reflection can spark so many new thoughts and purposeful change. The same thing is true when someone responds to our reflections. Our words and thoughts are validated. They matter. We all need someone to share our reflections with. Our responsiveness to life and to each other is worth sharing. 

We each have a unique voice to be heard. What makes yours unique? What is it that others might miss out on if you did not share your voice? What are you passionate about sharing with others? Write something you care about, something you want to stir up a bit. If you do, I invite you to share your learning reflections with the #TeacherMyth followers on Twitter. This group is also thinking deeply about reflective practices and the power of response. 

Hooray for Poetry Friday! Thank you so much for dropping by the ridge for a visit. Our friend Tara, is hosting this week at her space, Going to Walden.

I have been spending a lot of time reflecting on change these past couple of weeks. Change is an interesting topic to explore. I've become rather fascinated with the nature of change and our relation to it. I think there can definitely be some validity in the idea that the magnitude of change lies in the eye of the beholder. We all perceive and react to change differently. I have noticed this quite often with fellow colleagues in education. I think the important thing is to reflect on the change both individually and with others who face the same challenge. It's a process that demands our attention, reflection, and understanding. Sometimes we choose change, and sometimes it's chosen for us. It can be both easy and hard. And depending on the change and the implications, we can find ourselves feeling really any place on the spectrum. Whatever change we may face, reflection through talk and writing can help. It has certainly helped me understand the impact that change has in my life. Change often invites me to grow and stretch myself. That's one invitation, I'm always willing to accept. 

Careful reflection can often lead to meaningful change in our lives. If you have discovered helpful ways to use reflection to create powerful change, I invite you to share your learning reflections with the #TeacherMyth followers on Twitter. This group is also thinking deeply about reflective practices. 

Happy Poetry Friday! Thank you for visiting the ridge. This week, Tricia is hosting the round-up at her space, The Miss Rumphius Effect. You can find more poetry offerings there!

As a writer, I try to live a wide-awake life. When I do, I notice how much it improves my life and my interactions with everything around me. There is something extraordinary that happens when the lens of attention begins to focus and sharpen. There is an immediate connection between myself and whatever I have stopped to acknowledge has come into my frame. And whatever it may be, it is worthy of my attention. It becomes the center of everything. Through this simple act of noticing, I learn something more about this life.

"The dream of my life
Is to lie down by a slow river
And stare at the light in the trees-
To learn something by being nothing
A little while but the rich
Lens of attention."

-Mary Oliver from her poem, Entering the Kingdom

Mary Oliver was a true master of the art of noticing. Her wise words will continually inspire me to live with a lens of attention. There is so much in this world to delight in. ​

Noticing often leads to learning. We can learn so much about ourselves and others through the simple act of noticing. Try practicing the art of noticing to see what comes of it. Pay close attention to details and ask yourself questions to lead to reflection. 

Where are spaces in your day that you are building a habit of writing and reflecting? What are you noticing and learning about yourself as a result? If you try out the art of noticing, I invite you to share your learning reflections with the #TeacherMyth followers on Twitter. This group is also thinking deeply about reflective practices and the power of noticing. There is so much to learn about ourselves and the world around us through a careful lens of attention ! 

Happy Poetry Friday! Thank you for visiting the ridge! Be sure to stop by Kat's space HERE for more poetry delights this week. 

I don't generally make resolutions at the beginning of a new year, but I do make a point to reflect on my personal and professional life. My writing life has always helped me balance them both, so I'm happily reclaiming my writing life this year. It's time to prioritize my time and energy to those things that matter most. My family and the work that I do as an educator to serve children and others will always be top priority. My writing must be a high priority as well. Writing completes me. I am better for myself and others when I write often. 

So after reflecting on how I spend my time, I have decided to be more intentional about creating a space in my day to write.

1. Instead of plopping down on the couch to watch tv, I can read from one of the many books in my stack and jot down my favorite line. I can come back to it later as an invitation to write. 
2. Instead of checking Facebook during moments of wait time or boredom, I can step outside and check out all that nature has in store for me to write about! Wait time is write time.

I know it will be difficult at times, but I am determined to return to my writing life this year. I know that what I focus on, I'll get more of. Whatever your goals or priorities may be this year, I hope you also find your creative space to reach them.  

I have been thinking a lot about the reflection process lately, along with many of my teacher colleagues. It's a great topic to explore as a writer. One of my friends, Aaron Hogan, author of Shattering the Perfect Teacher Myth, has initiated a blog challenge over the next few weeks to write a reflection in response to a given prompt. I think it's a wonderful invitation to write, so I have decided to accept his challenge. If you would like to join in, I will be including his weekly prompt in this section of my blog or you can find the prompts on Twitter at #TeacherMyth. 

​This week, notice how you're using your time. Is there a space in your day to build in some time for reflection? 

Happy Poetry Friday and welcome to 2019! For more of the first round-up of the new year, visit Sylvia at her space HERE.

This past week, I have engaged in many moments of deep reflection. I find that endings and beginnings in life are great reminders of the power of reflection. There is much to ponder in life and reflecting on my inward most thoughts can truly bring me perspective. There are many forms of reflection, but some of my favorite reflections take on the shape of a poem. My "New Year" reflection poem began with nature at the workbench. At first, I marveled at the sky and made note of it in a single line. My thoughts quickly turned to reflections of my feelings about the end and beginning of a year. During the revision of this poem, I decided to work in some personification and rhyme. I also broke the original three stanza poem up a bit as well. It just seemed right! Happy writing and reflecting to all of you in 2019!

New Year

​The sunset on the last day of the year lit up the sky
like bursts of fireworks in a grand finale
with magnificent hues of blush and baby blues.
 
Clouds sweep away
all my worries and strife.
 
New Year gives new breath
and fresh life.
 
Sun will set,
leaving me without a single regret.
 
Future is on the rise,
my dreams, a rainbow of hope.
 
And yet,
the unexpected surprise
of life is what I love best.
 
© Kiesha Shepard

Reflection can be a vital process for writers. Reflection can help us contemplate our thoughts and consider all aspects of our thinking. I think one of the best things about reflection is that it can happen anytime and anywhere. For me, reflection happens quite naturally when I am surrounded by the sounds of nature. Where and when do you find reflection most beneficial for you? Try spending some time reflecting on your hopes and goals for yourself this year in your most natural reflection spot. May it lead you to many new and unexpected surprises in your writing this year!

Happy Poetry Friday! I am so grateful to be back with this amazing community of poets! I can't wait to read all the poetry offerings waiting to be unwrapped at Donna's space, Mainley Write, on this last Poetry Friday round-up of the year. 

It feels so wonderful to be writing for myself again. For some time, much of my writing has been the academic kind. Now that I have completed my master's degree program, I can give myself fully to my writing life. I can return to my pen and notebook. I may be a bit rusty, but I believe writing is the kind of thing that comes back to you with ease. Like a beloved song or some fond memory from childhood, it's always there. It always waits, and it always takes us back whenever we are ready to return. 

For me, nature is a sturdy workbench for my writing. I will make time and listen, to hear the words that it may speak.

Whatever your workbench may be, my hope is that you return to it again and again. It will be there, ready to help you accomplish the work of your heart. 

Happy Poetry Friday! I'm so glad you stopped by! For more of the poetry round-up, visit Tabatha at her space HERE.

Last Friday, I had so much fun visiting all the writers in Mrs. Rodriguez's fourth grade dual language class. I had the opportunity to share my process and my published poem for the Poetry Friday roundup. It was an amazing experience to be with these young writers. Their questions were so insightful, and I learned so much from each of them. One student even offered me a seed poem idea. It was a wonderful invitation! I happily accepted his seed poem idea. The result is this haiku about the very interesting Red-eyed Tree Frog. I want to send a huge thank you to the students of Mrs. Rodriguez's class for welcoming me into their workshop with such enthusiasm for writing!

For this seed poem idea, I did a little research on the Red-eyed Tree Frog. I didn't know much about this fascinating creature, so I had to do a bit of research on this topic. Writers are researchers at times. It helps them collect around their subject or topic. Next, I made the decision to try a haiku using some of the research I gathered. One of the great features of the haiku form is the freedom it provides from structure and form. For example, a haiku doesn't have to rhyme, and usually it doesn't. Another great aspect of the haiku is that punctuation and capitalization are used only if the poet decides to incorporate these conventions. For writers who like to follow the general rule, the standard haiku follows a 5-7-5 syllable pattern. Of course there are always exceptions to the rule. You may choose to experiment with creating a traditional haiku or a variation, such as a Tanka or a Lune. Just start with any topic of interest, like I did. You'll have lots of fun with this short but sweet form of poetry!

Happy Poetry Friday! I'm back in the round up this week with a poem inspired by a pic of one of my favorite flowers, the Four o' clock. Thanks for stopping by the ridge to read it, and for more poetry goodies, head over to Jone's space HERE!

One of my favorite things to do is to walk about the ridge, admiring all of nature's gifts. There are always poems hiding about in the images around me. Just the other day, I was walking about when my nose caught the scent of the most glorious smell. I followed that smell, and it led me straight to a bed of freshly bloomed Four o' clocks. I knew I had to capture this splendid image while I had the chance. You see, Four o' clocks open at four and remain open throughout the night and into the morning. They only bloom once before they wilt and fall off the plant. So of course, I had to snap a pic and write a poem to honor these short blooming beauties!

I studied my photo of the Four o' clocks and zoomed in on every tiny detail I noticed. I asked myself, What do I notice? and What does this image "say" to me? Next, I tried to describe it using my five senses and my reactions to the image. Then, I wrote everything out in my notebook. Finally, I reread my entry with my poet's eye and found this poem blooming there!  

Snap a picture of something you like, wonder about, or notice. If you don't have access to a camera, snap a mental image in your mind. Study your picture and zoom into every detail of the image. What do you notice? What does the image "say" to you? Talk it out with a friend. Describe it from the inside out. Then, write it out in your notebook. You can bet, there's a poem hiding in each pic you take!

Happy Poetry Friday! Thanks for visiting the ridge this week. For more of the poetry party, head over to Carol's space Beyond LiteracyLink.

Over Labor Day weekend, I took some time to walk about the ridge. I enjoy observing all the gifts that the natural world has to offer! Our observations can surprise us and wonder us. Having a notebook brimming full of observations can inspire so much writing!

Writers are observers of the world around them. Take some time this weekend to take a walk and record your observations. Open your senses and capture all the life around you! Let your observations lead you to many new writing possibilities. A simple walk can do a writer good!

Happy Poetry Friday! Thanks for visiting the ridge! This week, Margaret is hosting at her space HERE. Be sure to stop over there for more poetry delights!

We've reached the edge of summer here on the ridge. Though I am sad to be at the end of another lovely summer, I am excited to have the opportunity to begin again. A new school year brings different challenges and fresh hope. A sea of endless possibilities awaits. So what are you waiting for? Step up to the edge and meet your new beginning.  Stretch out in all directions. Reach out as far as you can. Trust yourself, and trust your process. You'll know how to end and begin again. 

Writers know how to end and begin again. It isn't always easy to call our piece done, but it's necessary. There is now room on the bench for our next project. Our work is never finished. There are more words inside of us, ready to pour out across our pages. We have faith that at the edge of our road, there are endless possibilities for new beginnings. When you reach the end of a piece, how will you begin again? What will help you to stretch yourself as a writer throughout the process? And how will you know when you've reached the edge?

​I wish for you many happy endings and endless new beginnings!