Things I tried and may not have been good at, but I really enjoyed doing them.

I think the title of this says it all. Other people had amazing things to share with these and mine I tended to mark with a tab labeled "Revisit" after hearing everyone else. The thing is, I had a great time trying it. I don't know if I will ever revisits these specific writings or if I want to revisit the styles, but they gave me an opportunity to try something new and explore my writer within.

Sensory Writing

My first trial piece to share is a poem. The goal was to use our senses when writing, so the reader felt as if they were a part of the story. I wrote this about a dear family friend. As you can see, it starts out fairly weak, but as I moved through, I found more inspiration and memories I wanted to share.

To this day...

Timmy, to this day I can hear you in my head. Your booming voice calling out to me, "Hi Corky!"

I see you attempting the Thriller dance as we joke around about your favorite movie, 13 Going on 30. In my mind, I see your Conch Republic t-shirt, khaki shorts, and Crocs. Your tan skin and sandy brown hair. Smiling, always smiling.

I smell the crisp citrus aroma in your old truck. You would pull the skin off an orange and place the peel in the vents. You'd reach over and blast the AC so that the sharp bite of oranges flooded out noses.

I can taste the Bloody Mary that you loved. You visited us one day and enjoyed the greatest Bloody Mary you'd ever had. The Oakley pub and Grill serves them up with pickles, cheese, and little sausages along with a shot of beer to tame the spice. It's the perfect blend of salt and pepper in the tomato juice mix, with the tang bite of pickle juice.

I feel the laughter from the hot air balloon. I wasn't even there, but listening to the story made me hold my side from laughing so hard. You were all peering over the edge of the basket, taking in the endless expanse of farmland. You turned to Billy and said, "What are your intentions with his daughter?"

I felt the tears when they called and said you'd died.  

Blackout Poetry

I was sent a page from a book in the mail. I didn't know this book, so reading over the page didn't automatically conjure up an idea of what I wanted to produce. That was nice. I read through the page first, then I grabbed my pencils. I put a box around any words that caught my attention and read only those words. I story began to form in my head. I knew the other words I needed to find to move the poem along. I boxed those as well. I wanted to add an image into the poem. "Smiling. It's pretty," decided it for me. I Googled images of people smiling and drew it over a fairly blank space of unnecessary words. It was colored in red. Then, I took the black marker and finished.

I had created a poem using someone else's words. It had nothing to do with the writing on the page, but it made a story. I felt as if I could be creative in other ways as well. I'm no artist, but I took the time to make image as important as the words. Once again, something fun that I embraced, even though I may not have been the best at it.  

Break Up Letter

My last piece to share is my break up letter with 2020. This year has been tough! We're still waiting on news of what the return to school will look like. So, in that moment, I collected all of my feelings for the first half of the year and bid it farewell. I have sense enough to know that I still have to make it through the last six months, but this piece allowed me to gain control over my outlook on the rest of the year. I made an attempt at being lighthearted and funny, which doesn't come across in most of my pieces. I hope you enjoy the lighter side of my writing.

Dear 2020,

I’ve never been good at this. As a younger person, I would have just ghosted you, but you seem fully committed to me and this unhealthy relationship we have built. So now, I will face you and say the words that desperately need to be said. Please have a seat...here it comes… We’re over. I’m ending this controlling and debilitating relationship that we equally participated in creating. But, to speak my truth, it’s not me. It’s you.

Let’s examine, shall we? The first few months of 2020 seemed to be fine. I begged and pleaded for a snow day or two, but you refused. I was feeling devastated, knowing how much all children and teachers love snow days, when you shared a ray hope. You gave me that one day I was hoping for, at home with my girls, playing in the snow. It rekindled my love for you. You had listened and shared with me what was in your power to give.

Then, you became greedy. I gave you less and less attention as I spent time with my students. We celebrated the 100th Day of School and enjoyed 80s Day in preparation for the family dance. The kids had face paintings and candy and they ran through the obstacle course at the Extravaganza. They were happy, excited, and growing as learners and people. But you wouldn’t let that continue. You took them away from me. My favorite group of kids that I’ve ever taught, gone in a matter of minutes. “Don’t worry”, I told myself, “It’s only three weeks. This will be a nice break.” It was a lie and you made me a fool.

Your jealousy raged as we continued to think about the future as a family. Why should you let us have a week to give our children an experience that we’ve waited so long for? The perfect time for them, since they’ve begun to love Disney Princesses. Still no. Not even a week on the beach to relax. It was gone. Then, the ridiculousness of ruining their first year of school. It’s too much for me. You are a thief and I will not take it anymore.

So, here’s the deal. I know that you will be a part of my life for the next six months, but you will no longer be in control. You want to confine me to my house? Fine, I’ve got this. You cannot destroy what I want to give my children. As long as I am here, I will always fight to build experiences, memories, and show my children love. Instead of worry for the future, I’ll live in the moment and make each day worthy of my children. I will take this passion and apply it to my students when the time comes. They will get the kindergarten experience they deserve. You cannot take that away from me or them. While you manipulate the present, I have the ability to control the future. My attitude determines my direction.

I wish you luck with your upcoming endeavors. If I may give some advice, your outlook on life is quite negative and this has an effect on others around you. Please consider seeking advice from a professional. You have started a revolt inside many and we will take it no longer.

Sincerely,

Courtney