Today, March 27th, 2020, I’m participating in Two Writing Teachers’ Slice of Life Story Challenge.
In today’s post, I venture beyond my comfort zone. But inspired by fellow slicers like Kevin Hodgson and others who bravely pen their thoughts in verse and post them for the world to read, I share these thoughts as a poem today.
Untitled
A whirlwind of change
like a net
cast upon fish
we are pulled abruptly
from the world we knew
Not our wish
But as spring sprouts
burst forth
from the once-winter soil
so, too, new learning
the fruits of this toil
Let this not be
a journey
of sorrow
but one of renewal
and hope
for a better morrow
Author: Lanny Ball
For more than 29 years, Lanny has taught, coached, presented, staff developed, and consulted within the exciting and enigmatic world of literacy. With unyielding passion and belief in the possibility of workshop teaching, Lanny has worked to support students, teachers, and school administrators around the country in outgrowing themselves as both writers and readers. Working first as a classroom teacher, then as a coach and TCRWP Staff Developer, Lanny is now a literacy specialist, working and living in the great state of Connecticut. Outside of literacy, he enjoys raising his three ambitious young daughters with his wife, and playing the piano. Find him on this blog, as well as on Twitter @LannyBall. Lanny is also a former co-author of a blog dedicated to supporting writing teachers and coaches that maintain classroom writing workshops, twowritingteachers.org.
View all posts by Lanny Ball
LANNY BALL, Literacy Specialist 
It’s a gift to us that you went outside your comfort zone, Lanny! Saved this to read again in times when I need more hope.
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This is outside your comfort zone? I agree keep this poem as it reflects such hope and promise. Thanks for that!
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Beautiful imagery…I am especially drawn to the vision of a fish fighting the net. I’m glad you expanded your zone today!
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As commenters above, I would not think this to be outside of your comfort zone. A beautiful piece that sums up how many of us feel and the perspective I want to try to take.
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I related to the image of the fish and the connection of spring to new learning. A beautiful way to capture what we are all experiencing.
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Thanks for going outside your comfort zone. Your poem emphasizes the hope that spring brings. Let’s all cast our nets to capture that hope. We may not have wished for this isolation, but we are all learning from it. Thanks for helping me see this today.
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Love that you’re putting yourself out there! This is hopeful and composed at the same time. Keep poeming! 🙂
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The structure of this poem left me with a promise for tomorrow and a rejuvenation of hope. Your words were crafty eloquently.
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Yes — thank you. I will head into my weekend with your words of hope.
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I love your word choices. The perfect ending to a work week with lots of new beginnings. Beautifully crafted and eloquently said. Thank you!
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You captured the abrupt change with the fish and net metaphor. It then gave us hope with the spring analogy. Thank you.
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I’ll cling to your words renewal and hope. It’s been a week of new learning for me. I’ve mastered Zoom Grandma Story Time and today I learned how to do conferences on Schoology with my book club. Gratitude for the two tech people and the public librarian who were so patient with my slow learning.
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