Most of my life was spent
building a bridge out over the sea
though the sea was too wide.
I’m proud of the bridge
hanging in the pure sea air. Machado
came for a visit and we sat on the
end of the bridge, which was his idea.
Now that I’m old the work goes slowly.
Ever nearer death, I like it out here
high above the sea bundled
up for the arctic storms of late fall,
the resounding crash and moan of the sea,
the hundred-foot depth of the green troughs.
Sometimes the sea roars and howls like
the animal it is, a continent wide and alive.
What beauty in this the darkest music
over which you can hear the lightest music of human
behavior, the tender connection between men and galaxies.
So I sit on the edge, wagging my feet above
the abyss. Tonight the moon will be in my lap.
This is my job, to study the universe
from my bridge. I have the sky, the sea, the faint
green streak of Canadian forest on the far shore.
“Bridge” by Jim Harrison from Dead Man’s Float
i’ve read this poem many times over and find it more beautiful each time. it’s from writer’s almanac. maybe you would like to read it aloud to yourself, or your cat tonight. i don’t know…
i love this line: What beauty in this the darkest music over which you can hear the lightest music of human behavior, the tender connection between men and galaxies.
in the world of school, i have found myself back in chinatown. subbing for now. i start in a transitional kindergarten class on monday. 4 year olds.
OH
DEAR
some pics from today’s assignment in a kinder class.
stay tuned for stories from the trenches. it’s possible i will live to tell them. but for now i will sit here on my bridge and study the universe.
goodnight from the city of angels…
Hi. Catching up with your blog posts from the past few days. Re: Sept 3….sounds like you’re doing all the right things with the tiny tots. I taught prek for several years and loved it. Legos and paint and singing and blocks and make believe, what fun.
And Concordia , Kansas! that’s where my grandma and grandpa met (roller skating) and married before moving out west.
And on top of it all you speak and write Mandarin? You are deeply gifted.
i was subbing in that classroom
I love your pictures of the stormy sea. Waves crashing, water in the air, wind blowing hard around you. I love that! Going to the shore tomorrow for a day only, in calm, hot sunny weather, but better than not going at all!
Looking at your Umbria travel journal and thinking about all the people there who lost their life, their home, their loved ones…
Good luck with your kids! Can’t wait to hear about them!
the amatrice quake so so so tragic… it’s difficult to take it all in – a loss of over 250 people. people who lived their ordinary lives there, but also those who had traveled there for a vacation. 🙁
the sea photos are from the sonoma coast in winter – a lovely part of northern california
We all need “rug rules”. Ha, ha. This is so cute. The ocean calls to me, too; but, alas, I am so very far away from it. Sigh.
So it will be from the bridge to the rug, and maybe learning Chinese, a language I understand much less than the talk of the ocean. Good that you have that bridge waiting for you.
my class will be english…but will prob have some portion that will not be proficient. giant bridge will be constructed 1st day…:-)
The poem is beautiful, simply beautiful. Thank you for sharing. Love the class photos! Remember, you’re the monkey wrangler.
Awesome poem Mary Ann. It will be going into a journal. That reminds me I just finished making another journal via FTB. Still one of my favorite classes EVER. I will shoot you a pic through the wires. For now I promise to raise my hand and I will sit very quietly on my rug. I promise to follow all of the rules too. 😉
It appears that nightly bridge sitting will be necessary!! THinking of you and sending you good sleep when you can get it, tons of energy and delight in watching your little ones flower! They are so lucky to have you!! Trip planned yet????
I’ve enjoyed your blog for a few weeks now and really enjoy it.
I’ve especially enjoyed your posts about your Swedish trip. Makes me want to go!
I’m retired after 35 years of teaching primary.
If you are looking for VERY special read alouds ( chapter length )’may I spread the wealth? The One and Only Ivan, Wainscott Weasel, The Wild Robot, and Elmer and the Dragon. Forgive missing underline.
You might pre read to be sure. You will love these books.
Oh thank you for the poem and photos – a very famous langage teacher told me that if i would learn chinese, i had to learn from another langage than my own … So, i am starting with your kids !!!! to pay for my lesson, i can tell you chinese people believe in sharing and good luck. So, i suggest you to try this :
– pick up wine leaves – red could be more terrific – and glue each on a solid paper, yhe tail of the top sheet. Than, with a black pencil, draw a circle for the head and two tiny triangles for ears/ Put google looking “eyes” and a smile on the face you now got.
– Return the paper and imagine the leaves are wings. You will draw hooks downside for paws and do not forget to draw the tree where your bat is hanging, the head upside down.
No better lucky charm for chinese people. It sounds “money” to they ears … there is just a little problemo : kids won’t let you go …
you are teaching 4 YEAR OLDS???!!! I didn’t know kids went to school at 4 years old! I’m not a mom so there is a lot I don’t know. I DO know that I love what you choose to share with us…always. (I can’t wait for school stories)
I love your photos, ideas, paintings, etc, but even more I love your prose.
Lucky little kiddies in your class. Did you buy your new school shoes?
Remembering the days of the smells of the classroom, the freshly waxed
floors, and the paper in the store room.
oh what nice things to remember and…you are right i MUST buy a new pair of shoes 🙂
I subbed kindergarten once. It gave me a headache. Then again, I was meant to be in high school! You will do much better.
Wonderful poem. Wonderful!
oh my, this poem…
Wherever you land, it will a gift to the students and another adventure for you and your talents.
You are a water soul. Maybe a mermaid in another life? ;o)
there is nothing salt water cannot soothe.
except a double negative in a sentence.