Amazed

Well, I don't know much about blogging, as anyone who reads this sorriness can tell. I haven't got one comment in over a year. Wonder if I'm supposed to advertise the thing. Not much going on in this life that anyone would care to comment on I guess. Just me, finally teaching, although it is not quite the level I expected. Aimed for High School and shot clean past it into college. Trying to find ways to teach students how to write effectively is not as easy as it would seem, even for a writer (or at least someone who claims to be one).

I am, however, a poet and I am almost finished with my first book of poetry. Excited despite the fact that I had to take an IP on my thesis. Well, getting late...

Dove

It’s amazing
how people search
through thousands of bottles of soap
labeled “bodywash”
looking for that one
just-right mixture
of perfume and red dye #7.
In the shower
they put on the lather
like some white coat-of-arms.
Wishing the aromatic bubbles
could lift their sins too
with the day’s grit and sweat
and transport them to heaven.
Where they would disappear
into the opalescent atmosphere.
Each bubble-wrapped sin
POPPED
in passing
by some holy pin.

Exfoiliated
Cleansed
Clean

Sad State

Well, I suppose I am among the million or so other people who wake up every morning and wonder where they will look for work today. I have applied at numerous places including the position I am most qualified for, high school English teacher, and no one is calling me. Except of course the last place on earth I ever wanted to work, especially at Christmas time, Walmart. Ah well. In times like these, I guess any work is better than none.

And what about this unemployment business. I received regular benefits for three to four months and now, while others around me are getting extension after extension, I am not eligible for any other benefits. Go figure. I will have to sell something to make a payment on my Christmas layaway at K-mart. Maybe now is a good time to tell my nine year old that Santa doesn't exist.

So, my job interview is tomorrow at 10:30 and the position is nights and weekends so I may not see my kids until after Christmas. Maybe by next semester there will be a need for me at a school nearby. I can only hope.

Can't Get Enough

of
the smell of fresh coffee
or the early-morning-coolness
of tiles underfoot

of
laughter
over bacon and eggs
and
the smiles that linger
in the wake

of
the warm taste
of chocolate-chip cookies
with a glass of iced milk

of
a good book
and
a deep chair
to snuggle in

of
the new smell
of a baby

of
a cool creek bed
on a hot summer's day

of
the healing-power of tears
and
the memories
that keep them flowing

Jobless again

Well, I feel like I am joining the ranks of all the traditional age college students who have recently graduated and cannot find a job. I just pulled a three month stint at a local High School. Took over for a teacher who retired and was hoping the budget cuts would allow me to stay. The thing is, as a new teacher, I was already making less than the retiring teacher so why did they have to cut me? Anyway, I think it is going to be tough to find anything now with so many experienced teachers looking for jobs as well. I had an interview Monday, two assistant principals and the principal all present at first. Maybe I am exaggerating but it seems that they did not realize I only had three months experience until we were in the conference room. Then, the principal got up and left the room! Of course, the other two stayed but still...How obvious of an answer is that?
Now I am four classes into an MFA and rethinking. Maybe I should switch to an MS in Educational and Instructional Technology. It seems like on-line is the wave of the future...