It is Tuesday and time to write a 'Slice of Life."
Thank you Two Writing Teachers for creating this supportive community
of teacher-writers!
How to close out this fabulous month of writing? I simply don’t know how to end or where to start. This month in community has been so rich with ideas and connections. Our last day together is like reading a really good book – I do not want our stories to end.
I hope everyone will continue to share slices on Tuesdays with Two Writing Teachers. Thank you for all your thoughtful and caring comments on my blog. Thank you, especially, for all the wonderful new places that your writing has taken me. It has been a great month!
Endings are uneven. They come in so many different varieties, and of all sizes. Some hurt, some make us smile, everything changes, always. I remind myself, endings are always thresholds to beginnings, to something new. To conclude is to start. I wrote a little poem to capture these musings.
Endings
one sip of tea left in the bottom of the cup
thunderous applause and a final bow
one more hill to climb and then we rest
a door inadvertently left open, a beloved cat slips out
no running water in the house
three in the afternoon brings quiet to the classroom
an alarm wails
unkind words fester within one’s heart
a marriage dissolves
a daffodil fades and falls gently to the ground
the builders reject the stone
hushed voices at bedtime
the bridge collapses
a river goes dry
breathes his last
the pastor shares the benediction
the stars come out
dessert
a concluding refrain, final stanza, closing words
a period at end of sentence
last day of the month
March 31st, Slice of Life Story Challenge ends
. . . and . . .
Thank you for visiting my blog. Clicking the title of any post will open a comment box at the bottom of the page. I love hearing from you.
Maureen, these lines for a final verse that started at the beginning and lead up to a final poem that captures all that has happened, these lines are simply awe-catching. My breath hung on these lines, especially the bridge collapsing. And yet rebuilding will begin. It always does! Thank you for sharing your gift of verse, your writing, your slices, your granddaughters, your life, your brother, your anniversary, your vacation – – all that and more with us!
Thank you so much, Kim!
Maureen,
Just think of all the poem stories we’ll be telling in April. The story never ends, so I’m hoping the telling of stories will continue each Tuesday. It is hard to find a way to close out the month. I’m fascinated by all the variations. I’m so glad you’ve been here each day w/ me. I’m grateful for you, Kim, Barb, and Denise. It’s no secret to me that poetry is part of the glue holding us together in prose. See you Monday!
See you tomorrow, lol – yes, we have many more stories to share. Thanks, Glenda!
Maureen, what a lovely list poem of endings. You did a great job showing the different kinds of endings–those that hurt and those that make us smile, plus others–but I so appreciate the ubiquitous …and… to finish. “To conclude is to start” as you wisely stated. It’s been a pleasure reading your musings and poetry this month. And now on to April!
Thank you so much, Denise! Back at you – it has been so great to write alongside you this month.
As always, lovely, the bitters and the sweets of closings. I don’t know why, but these four lines move me so: “the builders reject the stone/hushed voices at bedtime/the bridge collapses/a river goes dry.” I look forward to Tuesdays.
Thank you so much, Trish! I look forward to our Tuesday sharing, too!
Maureen, your poem is beautifully written. The specific endings you describe are poignant. I feel both pain and triumph throughout it. I especially enjoyed the daffodil fading then falling. Your posts this month have been so moving and elegantly crafted. Today’s post is the perfect final note.
Thank you, Barb! I look forward to sharing April poetry with you, beginning tomorrow!
‘Evenings are uneven,” is a powerful line that really sums up all the many endings you have described. ‘
Maureen, thank you so much for the most beautiful poem, Endings. I have appreciated reading your slices and the comments from you.