What Reminder Do You Need?

Chubby Sunflower Bee

Photo by Amy LV

Students - On these August mornings, I often begin the day by picking blackberries and flowers. Sometimes, I see bees dozing in the zinnias and on the sunflowers, and I smile...wondering what they dream about. 

Reflecting on these bees, I found myself noticing how much I love watching them doze, how much I love their little pollen pants and fuzzy bodies. I found myself noticing how different this experience is than the experience of reading information and looking at pictures (even adorable pictures) on my phone or computer screen.

Long ago, I remember reading an article about a baby swiping at a magazine, trying to turn the page as one does on an iPad. That troubled me, and it troubles me when I find myself trying to click on one of my own thoughts (does anyone else do this?) When such a thing happens, I am reminded:

Go outdoors.

The natural world is real in ways that the technological world can never be. Trees and bees and meteors remind us of our humanity. We need them. This is my reminder to me...and perhaps to you if you also need it.

What might you need to be reminded of? Perhaps make a list...and then choose one or more of the items from your list to write about. Maybe a poem, maybe not. When we write about our goals and struggles, it helps us to think about them in new ways. And sometimes, when others' read our reminders, they find themselves reminded of something too. In this way, writing helps us and others at the same time.

Teachers - It is a new school year. Please allow me to recommend more time outdoors. The best book I can recommend about combining curriculum with time outdoors is one of my favorite professor's books - LITERACY MOVES OUTDOORS by Valerie Bang-Jensen. Wise, practical, and beautiful. I cannot recommend this book more!

Available through Heinemann

This week, Heidi is hosting the Poetry Friday roundup over at my juicy little universe with good news and a sudoko poem. Each Friday, all are invited to share poems, poem books, poetry ideas, and friendship in this open and welcoming poetry community.

May your brain encourage you and also push you where you need to be pushed...

xo,

Amy

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