Well timed,
these ten days:
burrowed in
to a virtual residency,
surrounded by
children’s books
and children’s book people,
the warmth of the best of intentions.
A self-imposed, creative quarantine.
I’m shutting out the noise,
crafting my own vaccine
to the detritus
still surfacing
from 2020.
These ten days are my escape
and my fuel.
One email breaks through,
(a sign of spring—I can’t not open it)
an invitation
to join the line.
(Yes, THAT line.)
Stretching far beyond
what I can see,
I have no sense
for my place
along its winding path.
For now,
it is enough—
this digital equivalent
of a head nod
in my direction,
an acknowledgement
that my raised hand
in a sea of raised hands
is visible
and has been counted.
And in the meantime,
I write.
This post is part of the Slice of Life Challenge on Two Writing Teachers Blog, where we slice and share on Tuesdays, then every day in the month of March. Join us!
Your residency is truly a gift. It’s like a vacation to get away from all of the detritus (That’s a word I’ve been using often lately!) that seems to be pervading our world.
Balm is such a beautiful word and concept. Even though it is not possible to escape, I am so glad you have this opportunity to be absorbed in creativity. We all have access to this relief.
I love these lines:
“crafting my own vaccine
to the detritus
still surfacing
from 2020.”
I think this is a wonderful way to think about the catharsis writing offers. And the lines about nodding into the cyber world and having your have raised speak to our need for convection. Enjoy your writing quarantine.
I, too, love your use of the detritus! It is so fitting! I also love how you talk about joining the line, the invitation to do so, and how thrilled you are to be seen – all without actually saying the words of what the line is for – because we all know, already! Beautiful!
Shutting down the noise around us to find our own quiet space is so important these day. Crafting your own vaccine is a guarantee that it will work. Love your last line.
I love this! I need to be more disciplined and give myself a vaccine from all that is going on. I want to try to create a residency. You are inspiring me…..again.
That’s a beautiful poem with such a happy sense of quiet and solitude. ‘These days are my escape and my fuel’ that spoke to me. Sometimes getting away is the fuel we need to come back and get on with life.
“A self-imposed, creative quarantine.” – I like the sound of this. “Children’s books and children’s books people” – makes me smile, so positive. Write, write, write!
Writing for me is my sanctuary of thought. I love your description: A self-imposed, creative quarantine. Now the house is quiet and I can write again. Enjoy your experience.
Running to School 
Your residency is truly a gift. It’s like a vacation to get away from all of the detritus (That’s a word I’ve been using often lately!) that seems to be pervading our world.
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Balm is such a beautiful word and concept. Even though it is not possible to escape, I am so glad you have this opportunity to be absorbed in creativity. We all have access to this relief.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love these lines:
“crafting my own vaccine
to the detritus
still surfacing
from 2020.”
I think this is a wonderful way to think about the catharsis writing offers. And the lines about nodding into the cyber world and having your have raised speak to our need for convection. Enjoy your writing quarantine.
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Thanks, Glenda!
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I, too, love your use of the detritus! It is so fitting! I also love how you talk about joining the line, the invitation to do so, and how thrilled you are to be seen – all without actually saying the words of what the line is for – because we all know, already! Beautiful!
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Thank you! I was hoping that was clear enough that I didn’t need to name it.
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I, too, love the idea of you “crafting your own vaccine” and immersing yourself in creativity. Balm, indeed!
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Children’s books and children’s book people really are some of the best, aren’t they? Thank you for sharing this!
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Yes. Same is true for teachers. 🙂
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Shutting down the noise around us to find our own quiet space is so important these day. Crafting your own vaccine is a guarantee that it will work. Love your last line.
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I love this! I need to be more disciplined and give myself a vaccine from all that is going on. I want to try to create a residency. You are inspiring me…..again.
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I can’t wait to read some of what you’re writing in your program! Let me know if you ever want an outside audience. Hand is raised!
Beautiful poem that captures what you’re going through without giving too much away. Love it.
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That’s a beautiful poem with such a happy sense of quiet and solitude. ‘These days are my escape and my fuel’ that spoke to me. Sometimes getting away is the fuel we need to come back and get on with life.
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“A self-imposed, creative quarantine.” – I like the sound of this. “Children’s books and children’s books people” – makes me smile, so positive. Write, write, write!
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Writing for me is my sanctuary of thought. I love your description: A self-imposed, creative quarantine. Now the house is quiet and I can write again. Enjoy your experience.
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Love how your creative quarantine creates both escape and fuel for you.
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