What Will the Aide Do? [Poetry Friday]

Happy Poetry Friday! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.)

I had something else scheduled for today, but this week, I noticed that several copies of my indie-published Heart of a Teacher sold in paperback (it’s also available in a Kindle edition). It dawned on me that perhaps someone bought them as gifts for colleagues or for their children’s teachers, and I loved that thought. (It might not be true, but that’s what I’m going with!)

So, I thought I would share a poem from it and remind you that it might make a nice holiday gift for educators you know and like. There are all kinds of poems in this collection: funny, tired, enthusiastic, overwhelmed, proud–something for every mood. I thought with December chaos upon us, this might be fitting. Sometimes we have bright, capable people happy to help, but we’re too overwhelmed to even figure out how they can help us!

What Will the Aide Do?

Some days,
spit and a rusty
safety pin
are all that keep me together

I rush from small groups to stations,
lunch to specials to conference,
to my cool dark room,
empty for three precious minutes

The aide will be here soon
and I should gather her work,
but I bask in this galaxy of silence,
the only quiet I will find today

–Laura Purdie Salas, all rights reserved

I have shared some other poems from this collection, most of them turned into image poems:

Testing Shame

Elementary School Graduation

When They Write

I Think You Should Try It, Too!

A Librarian Can Be…

Acceleration Exasperation

And for lots of wonderful poetry, don’t miss the Poetry Friday Roundup with Jone at Check It Out!

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16 Responses

  1. Laura, I am so appreciative that you gifted me with your book, Heart of a Teacher. The poem you are showcasing today has such a beautiful image of teacher basking “in this galaxy of silence”.

  2. “but I bask in this galaxy of silence,
    the only quiet I will find today”

    - may we have more of these this December. I long for it, that I know.

  3. I love the poem you highlighted today, especially the first stanza. Held together by spit and a rusty safety pin–I can so relate, especially at this time of year! I’m going to check out your book on Amazon. I think it would make a great Secret Santa gift at school!

  4. Laura, you’ve perfectly captured those days when “three precious minutes” are all we have, especially at this time of year. Thank you for sharing it today!

    1. At the end of Weight Watchers this morning, we did a 60-second breathing exercise. Even just one minute helped. Like a micro-yoga class:>)

  5. Thanks for sharing this, Laura. It is perfect for a teacher and I remember that rushing around well, hardly time for a breath.

  6. Can we send “I Think You Should Try It, Too” to a certain possible pick for Secretary of Education?!?!

    These are great! thanks for reminding us about this collection.

  7. Nice, Laura! I especially love your mindful approach—how your poem soothes in its expansion from small (spit and a rusty safety pin) to large (this galaxy of silence). A fabulous choice for a teacher gift!

  8. The first stanza reminded me of the safety pin I now wear on my coat. This would be a wonderful book to have.

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