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#SOL24-1 Unicorns

It is Tuesday and time to write a 'Slice of Life." 
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of teacher-writers!
Topics for Slice of Life

never doubt the ability 
of simple set of sheets

pulled from the corners
stripped from the bed
(laying it bare)
scrunched and balled 
carried down the cold dark stairs
thrown into the washer
and now tossing about 
with soap and water

to set one’s mind in motion
for writing

Happy March, everyone!! Today begins our ‘March madness’ of writing – a month of writing deeply into moments of our days, a month of wondering what to write about and how to get the elusive onto the page. I’ll begin with a tale of one of my dearest mentors.

Granddaughter Frog is a five year old artist. She is ‘one’ with drawing, always with a tool in hand and sketching, doodling, trying. 

It seems like just yesterday she found serenity in mystery worlds like this –

and then she gently moved into the wholeness of circles –

Soon, flowers were her muse. Flowers, flowers, flowers. I am forever awed by her peony:

Now, the flowers are rare and the muse is unicorns. 

unicorn – a mythical animal typically represented as a horse with a single straight horn projecting from its forehead.

Oxford Dictionary definition #1

All unicorns, all the time. Frog fancies herself a unicorn, I think. She moves through the house like a unicorn giving chase. She draws them everywhere. Her first efforts looked like these:

I look at these with eyes of wonder, reminded of the marvel of Kandinsky, Picasso, Escher, this sense of 

oh yes, I see the unicorn, no, no, I don’t, yes! yes! I do!

I am drawn into her artistry, the insight and whimsy that fuels her renderings…how did she get to this fanciful image? I want to hold onto it forever, to see the world through her eyes, the details, the parts, how everything is separate and yet whole.

These first unicorn images were all too brief, only a week or two, I think. Working steadily, she began looking at them differently, considering a new perspective, a new angle. Now, Frog’s unicorns look like this: 

She tells me they are 
not quite right, yet but 
she loves these unicorns.

My granddaughter fills me with desire for a unicorn of my own. I hope you’ll join me as I search.

unicorn – something that is highly desirable but difficult to find or obtain.

Oxford Dictionary definition #2
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18 Comments

  1. OH I love her drawings! I have a grandson on a similar journey. He was drawing number blocks, then on to planets. This we have animals – we name type of animal (mammal, insect, etc) then the specific animal and off he goes drawing away. The joy of watching these little ones explore image and the world is a true wonder! Thanks for sharing her work!

  2. Thanks for sharing! I especially appreciate the last definition of a unicorn. Did you know that’s why the Boston Marathon uses a lot of unicorn icons throughout their race?

    I also love the artistic relics of your grandaughter’s journey.

    • I did not know that about Boston marathoners – that makes so much sense! I love the second definition, too. Thank you!

  3. Maureen,
    I love Frog’s art. Seriously, that child has talent! And that poem. It’s a 10/10 for me. Ken irons the sheets and pillowcases. I’m more of an “it’s it’s clean, I’m good to go” kind of girl. I think you’re an expert at finding the muses and the unicorns in life, and I’m excited to share spaces w/ you this month and next month. It kind of makes me emotional thinking about how important some of the people in this community and in our Ethical ELA community are to me. I’m in a coffee shop writing this comment through watery eyes.

    • Thank you, Glenda! We sure have a lot of writing to do this month and next – and it is wonderful, indeed. I appreciate you so much!

  4. Frog’s art is wonderful! Seeing the world through the eyes of children never gets old. My writing qualifies as a unicorn right now. I look forward to joining you on the search.

    • Yes, my writing is a unicorn, too, lol – I wish I had my grandchild’s certainty, the ability to just ‘make it happen.’ Thank you, Rita!

  5. Maureen, this entire post is, as always, worth our time , but I spent less time with Frog (although all that may change when I have my own grandchild in June) and more time thinking about the opening line of your poem. The cadence led me right to Margaret Mead. Your variation held me fast. (Was that Margaret Mead quote that begins, “Never doubt…” your allusion? I had it on the wall of my classroom for years.) I am so glad I stopped by today!

    • Wow – that is awesome connection with Margaret Mead…she must have had a subliminal influence on me because I absolutely adore that quote: “Never underestimate the ability of a small group of committed people to change the world. In fact it is the only thing that ever has.” Yes! Thank you, Trish!

  6. I am glad I found this, such a candid slice, a fresh slice from your life, no veneering just sweet tales of frog art and daughty.

  7. Maureen, what a sweet post. I love how the sheets can stir up ideas for slices. Your poem is speaking to me! I love it. Then the progression of Frog’s artistry. Wow. I do see the Picasso unicorns, and I love that she created those and the boxy ones too. Yes, we have much to learn about unicorns from our youngest ones. Here’s to discovery in March!

  8. Kim Johnson Kim Johnson

    This artwork is so beautiful that it makes me want to frame it! That flower is simply stunning, and there is nothing like children’s artwork to amuse and delight. The pursuit of a unicorn throughout the month of March is intriguing – – rather like a leprechaun, only yes – – far more elusive and magical. I can’t wait to see all the places the unicorn search takes you. And where you find it.

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