Hello December!
A Frost(y) picture and poem to start your day off...

The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep.

Robert Frost's Miles to Go Before I sleep

There are troubles here.

Sometimes we don't want to see them,

Sometimes we see them and don't want to believe.

In these houses they're quiet and swept under the rug,

Outside they're exploited and live-streaming through our veins.

In the aftermath of 9-11, in the aftermath of a shattered heart,

we cry, we avoid, we grieve, we forgive.

We may not face it gracefully

-we needn't even try-

But though we will surely falter,

we will always persevere through these troubles.

Sometimes the world stops spinning.

And when it does : You know a deep breath will pull you through.

Revelation springs from a simple moment of reflection,

and you consider this before you speak.

The nature of the world will always be tumultuous,

But you've been told to escape to the still, small voice in your heart

-and to listen to it.

It's not easy- and it isn't always even fair-

But when you are your own keeper,

you must keep reminding yourself of this routine.

Or, you can open up, and

let the better person in.

Make yourself vulnerable to love.

It's alright to be scared.

In fact, it takes courage to be scared.

But be courageous in your quest.

To live is an adventure.

Have you ever felt sunlight on your face?

On a day like that,

she takes a towel and her heavy heart

to the top of her studio apartment.

She can't escape the sounds,

but with her eyes closed,

the sirens turn to humming

and the knot in her stomach unwinds.

She can't explain it- nor would she try-

But there's something about that

Glimmer of light;

A beam of golden treasure.

Whether I'm feeling bored or anxious, happy or stressed, I can always count on the sun to make me feel better.

If I could prescribe one cure-all, I would nominate the sun.

It takes courage to grow up

and become who you really are.

E.E. Cummings

Just a few more reasons why I love and will miss all of my students...

Seniors are very different;

Severe expressions and uncomfortable squeaking.

Comfort zones leave

It feels good to be different

Not to emphasize the same feeling;

Community, accustomed, residence in groups

It's out.

Students are getting ready to leave.

They aren't uncomfortable.

They aren't nervous.

It's good to step out.

Tom, 18

The chance to pick

A do-over.

Checked past

Don't leave

the cost; choose for me

speak up!

Don't drop out.

Who won the lost me?

Who was the winner?

Colton, 17

What Lies Ahead

Strong start, hopefully

Engineering at the University of Illinois

Bright spot defined as college

My mind is a one lane street

Towards enrollment in the fall

First-time student, 4 more consecutive years

Strong finish, hopefully

Lauren, 18

3000 dead

Shattered capital

victims in floodplains

No hope, until Spring

Rainy disaster

Falling country

Collected killings

No hope, until Spring

Spring brings health

Brings life

Brings hope

We wait, until Spring.

Shahid, 18

Adjusting my accuracy

The corner pins are the difference.

Individuals in a competitive field,

Rolling towards strikes.

Average is no good ,

and a zero will not help.

700 Series at the Thunderbird Lanes

Ryan, 17

Poetry by AP students at Centennial High School

Secrets.

There are two kinds.

“The ones we keep from others

and the ones we keep from ourselves.”

A ring of authenticity; raw, uncomfortable;

vulgar,

uplifting,

beautiful.

Grab my heart.

Can I be your secret keeper?

You don’t need to hide behind your secrets.

Everyone has them.

They are my life;

Uncover and share.

The world asks to know.