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160. Why, a Poem

Posted on January 26, 2022January 26, 2022 by caritagardiner
inspirational note

I took the photo above. Someone taped the note to the inside of the bathroom stall door at my school. I'm going to assume that "Keep pushing through" is a generic message of encouragement rather than one meant for the specific action being taken while reading the note.

Inspired by the photo and a recent text thread with a friend, I decided to write a poem for today's post. If you don't like my version of poetry, I have two suggestions:

  • First, write a guest post. You can do better, and the people who read my blog will read your words. They'll tell you how great you are. You'll enjoy the feeling.
  • Second, explain what you don't like in the comments. I won't know I've become a real blogger until I have some critical comments in addition to all of the kind ones.

Okay, now here's my poem:

Why, a poem

Why stay deep in the dregs,
Bottling up, lid tight 'til you burst?
Instead, pour out your excess.
Tip yourself to the side.
Let your sludge ooze onto me.
If spilling's what you need,
Let me be your sponge, your saucer, your grate.

Why tackle problems by yourself?
Together we can solve any equation or inequality.
If today's numbers don't compute,
Let's add you to me
And divide up the work we show
Until what remains offers hope that multiplies.

Why not throw ideas like clay until one becomes
A vase holding the scents and colors of Spring?
Or spin the mass until everything unwanted
Rotates out. We can fire off impurities,
Gilt together loose shards and glaze the surfaces.

Why stand alone?
You can sit by my side or crawl onto my back.
Fall into my arms. Let me carry you.
You don't want to see or hear or smell company,
But need calm support and levity?
Let me be your rock garden,
Your wall, the shoes that lift you off the ground.

Why seek answers that might hurt?
Maybe the way out is through–
Through Heath Bar ice cream, Swedish Fish,
Lime chips from an oversized bag,
A giant glob of frosting straight from the tub,
Some sparkly powder to swipe along your eyelids.
Then, I'll grab the spoons and salsa and brushes
And we'll sweeten and glam-up our lives, together.

4 thoughts on “160. Why, a Poem”

  1. Viveca says:
    January 26, 2022 at 3:34 pm

    Sorry, can’t oblige with a critical comment because I’m too impressed at your catholic talents. Loved the poem itself, loved seeing that bit of mom in you, and laughed out loud at the photo caption. xo

    Reply
    1. caritagardiner says:
      January 26, 2022 at 4:11 pm

      I too laughed aloud when I saw the note on the door. Fortunately, nobody else was in the restroom at the time, which may have required an awkward explanation.
      And thanks. Love, c

      Reply
  2. Yuna says:
    January 26, 2022 at 7:12 pm

    Thank you for sharing your poem with us! Love how you ~spiced things up~ for us this week. Such a valuable reminder for us to reach up and out to those people in our lives who have our back. Since you’ve made it clear to share what I *don’t like* in response to your post: I’m not the biggest fan of Health bar (ice cream), Swedish fish, nor lime chips #sorrynotsorry. Some donuts, chocolate chip cookies, or chips and guac for me 🙂

    Reply
    1. caritagardiner says:
      January 26, 2022 at 10:50 pm

      Hi BBB. I’d be happy to eat doughnuts and chips and guac with you any time. As for the chocolate chip cookies, maybe you can eat them by my side while I eat chipless ones. Whatever we’re eating, I have your back and hope you’re feeling all better soon! Sending hugs across the country to you!

      Reply

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WHAT I DO

I teach English to high schoolers at a boarding school in Connecticut. I read AP English Literature and Composition exams and serve as a teacher mentor for the University of Pennsylvania Teaching Fellows program. I’ve earned a Bachelor of Arts (Amherst College), an Education Master in Learning and Teaching (Harvard University Graduate School of Education), a Master of Arts in English (Bread Loaf School of English), and most recently a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing with a certificate in the online teaching of writing (Southern New Hampshire University).

As a writer, I hope to capture the complexity and joy of life in the New England boarding school world. On this site, I share what I know about trying to write fiction while teaching English, coaching, and doing the other tasks associated with helping to raise over six hundred other people’s children.

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Read my recent “Why” Wednesday Blog Posts

  • 177. Why Pay Attention
  • 176. Why Keep Learning
  • 175. Why “Yes…And”
  • 174. Why Now
  • 173. Why I’m a Real Writer
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