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  • MARCH SOL – 2025 – Poems about Nourishment

Category: Education

Tea & Empathy

March 3, 2024 ~ wordancerblog ~ 6 Comments

I wanted to shine a light on those students who loved to read, write, and research. I wanted the girls to have an opportunity to learn about all kinds of women from all kinds of backgrounds doing amazing things.

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Song of Vivian

February 25, 2024February 25, 2024 ~ wordancerblog ~ 6 Comments

Since this week also marks what would have been her 102nd  birthday, I wrote a poem to celebrate my mother, Vivian Victoria – a talented and creative seamstress, and later an inspiring elementary school teacher. 

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The New B.F.G.: Benevolent Female Guide

February 20, 2024 ~ wordancerblog ~ 8 Comments

My guidance is very quiet.  It is not bold or commanding.  My guidance is not step-by-step directions, rather I try to lead lightly by listening and sharing opportunities for further learning and discovery.  These opportunities almost always come in the form of books.

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What the World Needs Now…

February 12, 2024 ~ wordancerblog ~ 5 Comments

This week, I’m thinking a lot about love.  First, because it’s February, and Valentine’s Day leads us all to think a little more deeply about love, but also because February has a special meaning to me. 

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Writing Alongside Children

February 6, 2024 ~ wordancerblog ~ 8 Comments

This week, I began working with two fifth grade girls on writing. I created digital notebooks so they could more easily type their thoughts and ideas. I also wrote alongside them. We talked, we shared our writing, and we laughed. My intention was to build a small community of writers...

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Writing Full Circle

January 30, 2024January 30, 2024 ~ wordancerblog ~ 10 Comments

I have always thought of writing as connection: the writer’s connection to the readers, and readers connections to the writer’s ideas.  Those ideas connect a myriad of other readers and writers, and the circle continues to expand exponentially

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January Watercolor

January 15, 2024 ~ wordancerblog ~ 11 Comments

of spring, I love the crisp, clean colors of winter.  The cold air seems to freeze every form in place: the red berries on the evergreens, the sleek black of the crows, and the silver icicles hanging from rooftops. I want to capture these images in watercolor, but I haven’t painted in a long time. 

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First Snow

January 9, 2024 ~ wordancerblog ~ 8 Comments

How can we hold on to the wonderment snow brings?  How can we see snow with the eyes of child again?

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Settling on One Little Word

January 2, 2024 ~ wordancerblog ~ 4 Comments

I’ve been searching for a new word for the new year.  One little word which will capture how I am moving in the world right now.  I used to move with youthful confidence, quick to react as if my feet were on fire. 

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Hungry for Joy

December 19, 2023 ~ wordancerblog ~ 12 Comments

hese bring momentary solace, but still, I yearn for something more, something less ephemeral. I guess that’s a tall order to ask for – permanent joy.  I don’t expect permanency, but maybe just little more moments, more moments of unexpected joy.  That would be nice. 

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  1. margaretsmn's avatar
    margaretsmn on SOL: March 2026 – Book of HoursMarch 10, 2026

    What a wonderful space of poetry you have created here! I wish I had time to read them all, but…

  2. kimhaynesjohnson's avatar
    kimhaynesjohnson on SOL: March 2026 – Book of HoursMarch 10, 2026

    Today's poem really struck me - - I'm reading this morning, and there are days I know the minute I…

  3. Glenda Funk's avatar
    Glenda Funk on SOL: March 2026 – Book of HoursMarch 10, 2026

    Day 10: These light/dark images are mesmerizing and speak to divergent preferences, but I can’t help by fall back to…

  4. wordancerblog's avatar
    wordancerblog on SOL: March 2026 – Book of HoursMarch 10, 2026

    Happy soon-to-be-retirement. I recently signed my contract for another year at my school. I want to get to 50 years…

  5. kimhaynesjohnson's avatar
    kimhaynesjohnson on SOL: March 2026 – Book of HoursMarch 9, 2026

    Oh my goodness, how your verse resonates with me so fully today. This, especially: We see the brightness of a…

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12 responses to “Hungry for Joy”

  1. Fran McCrackin Avatar
    Fran McCrackin
    December 19, 2023

    … no longer hungry. Your ending line resonates with me as I think about your piece here. I, too, and perhaps all of us, am moody this time of year and ponder joy. Life is messy and moments of joy fleeting. Like your fox. Or perhaps it is more that those moments when we realize we are feeling joy are rare. Like you, i struggle to improve my mood, read, appreciate the red of cardinals n the winter tree… I dont know any answers. but I do compliment you on an honest piece of writing that includes small moments, some sad and some joyful (your friend’s gift!), discussing books and philosophy and faith, and your own poem. I hope writing this brought you some measure of joy.

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    1. wordancerblog Avatar
      wordancerblog
      December 20, 2023

      Thank you, Fran. Writing always brings me joy. Sometimes, it might take a little time to recognize the joy, but it’s there for sure. Happy Holidays!

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  2. Stacey Shubitz Avatar
    Stacey Shubitz
    December 19, 2023

    As I began reading your post, I thought, she needs to read JOYFUL. And then I got to the part where you received it as a present. Oh, you’re going to love it!
    But, may I make another suggestion? If you haven’t read Katherine Center’s novel, WHAT YOU WISH FOR, may I suggest getting your hands on it? (I wrote about it in this post, https://raisealithuman.wordpress.com/2021/01/01/olw-2021/. It’ll allow you to preview the book without having anything spoiled for you.) Her books are my go-to whenever I need a pick-me-up!

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    1. wordancerblog Avatar
      wordancerblog
      December 20, 2023

      Oh, thank you, Stacey for the recommendation. I will get Katherine’s novel right away! I definitely need regular pick-me-ups!

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  3. britt Avatar
    britt
    December 19, 2023

    “I write poems, which now I see as prayers, to capture these joyous moments.”

    I had a hard time getting into poetry, but then when I started seeing them as prayers,I felt I didn’t have enough time to write poems! They help me capture joy, but also sadness and desperation. I feel your similar hunger during this season, and I also find myself writing more poetry during this time. Thank you for sharing!

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    1. wordancerblog Avatar
      wordancerblog
      December 20, 2023

      Thank you so much, Britt. Wishing you a joyful holiday and happy, healthy new year!

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      Reply
  4. Trish Avatar
    Trish
    December 19, 2023

    So much food for thought here, from your honesty about the restlessness of the season to the search for joy. The line I love? “watching the cardinal decorate the bare branches of my maple tree.” There is such an abiding appreciation in that image, the unconsciously flamboyant cardinal and your use of “my” with the maple. I’m finding joy right there!

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    1. wordancerblog Avatar
      wordancerblog
      December 20, 2023

      I like that cardinal noticing too! Glad you liked it. I just wrote what I saw out the window. I’m happy the cardinal helped me! Joyous holidays, Trish!

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  5. Leigh Anne Eck Avatar
    Leigh Anne Eck
    December 20, 2023

    There is so much to take in from this post. I am always up for a good book suggestion, so I will be checking those out–even Stacey’s in her comment. These words seem to tug at my heart at the moment: I write poems, which now I see as prayers, to capture these joyous moments. And the moment of joy and surprise you captured in your poem is beautiful! I hope you find lots of JOY in these last few days of December.

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  6. wordancerblog Avatar
    wordancerblog
    December 20, 2023

    Thank you Leigh Ann! I can’t wait to read Stacey’s pick too – “What You Wish For.”
    Hope you have a joy filled holiday and a healthy new year.

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  7. Glenda Funk Avatar
    Glenda Funk
    December 20, 2023

    I’ve always enjoyed reading C.S. Lewis but haven’t read this book, nor have I read the other one you mentioned. I did read Unearthing Joy, however. I’ve long been confused by those who find joy in the midst of hardship, but this year I’m thinking about how I’d feel selfish if I were not joyful given the horrible conditions so many on this planet must endure. And like you, I write poems when inspired by life’s little moments of joy. Today I wrote a snippet about half melted snow.

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  8. wordancerblog Avatar
    wordancerblog
    December 20, 2023

    Thank you, Glenda. I forgot to mention “Unearthing Joy.” I really like that book and was able to hear Gholdy Muhammad speak. She was very inspiring. Another great book is Ross Gay’s “Inciting Joy.” He’s incredible! Hope to see and read that snippet about half melted snow!

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