Persistence

I have had an interesting couple of weeks… thinking about myself as a teacher as a person and the ways that I am still learning to do some things. Such as learning from other peoples perspectives and continuing to grow taking in the good and the bad.

I came across this poem in my things and I felt it fitting for some of what I have been dealing with this past weeks.

The Guest House

This being human is a guest

house. Every morning

a new arrival.

 

A joy, a depression, a meanness,

Some momentary awareness comes

as an unexpected visitor.

 

Welcome and attend them all!

Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,

who violently sweep your house

empty of its furniture, still,

treat each guest honorably.

He may be clearing you out

for some new delight.

 

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,

meet them at the door laughing,

and invite them in.

 

Be grateful for whoever comes,

because each has been sent

as a guide from beyond.

 

Welcome difficulty.

Learn the alchemy True Human

Beings know:

the moment you accept what troubles

you’ve been given, the door opens.

 

Welcome difficulty as a familiar

comrade. Joke with torment

brought by the Friend.

 

Sorrow are the rags of old clothes

and jackets that serve to cover,

and then are taken off.

That undressing,

and that beautiful

naked body

underneath,

is the sweetness

that comes

after grief.

By Jelalludin Rumi

 

Celebración de poesia

Last Friday we had a Celebración de poesíathe final presentation of poetry.  Students spent some time putting the final artistic touches to the poems. It was a very fun afternoon which ended with students reciting poetry to a classroom full of parents. It was satisfying to see so many Latino parents and English speaking parents listen to poetry in Spanish. It has always felt like a divided experience to see parents in different places. For example like when the meeting were done separately Spanish and English. However for poetry they were all together and sharing the joy of seeing their sons and daughters become confident bilingual students. Students had so much fun! I was definitely proud, and moved by what they had to say, some were silly some were very heart warming. I could see how proud the students were of their work.