I don’t want to tell you about how dazzling it is as the morning sun hits the windows of the wall of skyscrapers in the distance.
Because you need to know about other things.
I don’t want to tell you about the snow on the mountains as grey cloud meets white sky.
Because you need to know about other things.
I don’t want to tell you about the chatty bird song that calls out above the busy hum of traffic.
Because you need to know about other things.
I don’t want to tell you about the simple beauty of spring buds, bare winter trees or fall leaf carpets that I notice before the busy of the day settles.
You need to know about other things.
This morning walk, made daily, is so full of calm and hope and promise.
It is time to believe. To gather strength.
Soon, it’s time for the other things.
Slammed doors
9 a.m. tears
Bruised pride
Leftover anger
Yesterday’s clothes
Not yet breakfast
Brought along upset
“I can’t.”
“No!”
“Don’t!”
I don’t want to tell you about that sweet bird song, those cold snowy mountains, that early morning sun. Or that quiet green bud that says everything is possible.
That yellow leaf that I crouch down to pick up and carry with me is mine.
I don’t want to tell you because you don’t need to know.
I keep it close. I need it all. It’s my reserve that gets refilled each morning. All day I draw from it as I try to navigate the day.
Sometimes, I can make pieces of it appear in this room full of children I teach.
These children who need to know about other things.
I am participating in the Slice of Life challenge to write and publish a post every day in March.
Slice of Life is hosted by Two Writing Teachers. I thank them for the community they provide. Read more slices here.
There's a Book for That 
A very powerful slice. I love the foreshadowing. The repetitive line brings tension and gives depth to your other lines. As I read I feel conflicted by the many emotions pulling at me.
Thank you. I am so pleased it had an impact.
Beautiful. I like how the “you” that “needs to know about other things” might be the reader, or might be the students.
Thanks for thinking about it Wendy.
The repeated refrain is effective, creating a build as we arrive at the jarring events that contrast the peace of your morning walk. The symbolism of the flower is touching as I imagine what parts of that peacefulness you are able to bring to your classroom. Beautiful.
Thank you so much.
I feel like you have a book here, Carrie, about what it’s like to teach children who come from poverty. Your stories are absolutely captivating, written so beautifully. I would buy your book. 😊
Well, wow. Wow.
I love this. About how you center yourself, so you can then be there for others. I walk the dog every night after work, just to sort of breathe and let the stress of the day roll away before I interact much with my guys at home.
We do need to find a way each day to center ourselves. So important.
Fantastic way to start your day and center yourself. It is the promis held in the “green bud” that keeps me going on there crazy, gray days.
Yes, new life, new days ahead.
You
need
to
write
a
book.
You are too kind Loralee.
I loved reading and rereading this. I’m so glad your peaceful morning walk can quietly fuel you all day.
Every day.. It is one of the most important things I do.
You have a beautiful way of telling your students’ stories while protecting their dignity. Thank you for letting us peek into your life with them. Also, I would buy a book you wrote. (Just sayin’…) 🙂
So very kind. thank you for such a lovely comment.
I love the pattern of this piece that gets interrupted with your daily struggles with your students. It’s the calm that you need for your soul, to refuel. Thanks for sharing so beautifully with us. This is what I like to know.
Thank you for calling it beautiful.
I just wish I were walking along with you. Thank you again for sharing!
I always love company!
Your crafting of your words is beautiful! Every single post has such warmth and love threaded throughout. Your words are a treat to read and put myself right beside you.
Thank you so very much Elsie. I so appreciate your comments.
Carrie, I’m glad that you have that walk, buoying you up for the day. And glad you’ve shared the parts of it that make us happy, too, and also thoughtful about the children, yours and others, who need to find good things.
🙂
My words fall short in commenting your amazing writing. Your words stir emotions.
Thank you as always Terje, for visiting and being so generous with your comments.
Powerful slice – and so beautifully crafted.
Many thanks Tara.
Ditto on Kendra’s comments.
Time to begin your memoir, Carrie!
Well, you are too kind.
I just want to repeat everyone else’s comments. I am so glad you are participating in this challenge and sharing your words with all of us. We are certainly blessed!
Well, it is quite the challenge. Learning so much.
It is good that you have found a morning routine to “shore up” for the day ahead. You are an amazing, caring teacher to these children. Beautiful post.
My morning walks sustain me.
Carrie,
You notice for you and for your kids and then you process what they need and filter it through a filter. This is quite a message. Beautiful craft!
I appreciate the comments about craft. It was truly not all that deliberate. I “wrote” it while walking. Probably not surprising.
This. I. Love. Thank you, Carrie.
Thank you!
So incredibly beautiful in the calm scene you capture and repeating words. In the dichotomy of the two spaces. Of how your routine fills you up. LOVE this so much.
I am so pleased it resonated.