A Combination of Words
As educators we choose our words with caution
We temper our emotions
Keep moving forward, even on the toughest of days
We listen, share, anticipate greatness
rather than
Expect mediocrity or negativity
Yet we see it, hear it, we know it is there
Our world is in turmoil, it shakes with imbalance
misunderstanding and self-centeredness
But as educators, we understand
the fragility of thought, misconceptions and fear
We strive daily to overcome it and help our students see beyond
Failure, judgment and complacency
As educators we see the world for what it is
Challenging
Fluid
Scary
but we also see its potential
its camaraderie, respect and admiration
and thus we enter battle
we rebel
we soar to the skies with a vision
this is our journey...this is our calling
Tempered Radicals
I am a saint of imperfection
A torchbearer in the labyrinth
All around me are familiar places, insatiable appetites
"It's not my problem." some say with heads in the sand
"Miss the boat or catch the wave" a pace set by others, often unforgiving
Conversational wisdom, lacking but
Present, we as educators keep it circulating
Avoid Complication, some keep their voices silent
Filaments and Fibers, however link the masses
What stops you from speaking out?
What roots you in your passion, yet silences your voice?
What you can control is simple, yourself
We all have common tactics, as educators we share them
We begin with novelty then add familiarity
We seek a cacophony of learning
We have become tempered radicals, a counter-balancing force
Our ideas, some vintage, still in the package
Others hot off the assembly line
Our wave of ingenuity, synchronicity, is tidal
Cross-purposes
Bolts of creativity
Tupor or hibernation eventually leads to an awakening and formerly squelched
Inactivity has become our action
Context for Kings and Queens
Many eyes judge, misunderstand our calling
We do, we teach, we inspire
Light and shadow is present in every situation
It is context for kings, pauper and commoner
The noise is rambunctious, often deafening but
Despite yourself, the wolf inside peeks its head
Vaulting ambition, unsettling the guard
What's past is a prologue, the cold open, the title sequence
Just start the dialogue, just push play
The war without, creates the war within
The expanse may shift inward but
The momentum will collapse and the sheer force
of freedom will cause
momentary brilliance and an on-going rebellion
Can you feel it?
Can you hear the trumpets calling us to the charge?
Fun-House Mirrors
We live in a world of
Fun-house mirrors standing tall, discombobulating
distracting, dismembering our reality
Messing around with gender roles
Tearing down societal norms
Falling, twisting and bending light and personality
We have learned to talk around the problem
Fake it till we make it
The long, bright, dark no matter our vigilance, creeps in
Form and void lacking
Night finds you, even when the moon is full
But the aura of our community, guides our way
These mirrors are constructed with the sheer purpose of fear
But we can also use them to shatter the lines created by those who feel they are in control
Firebrand
Revolution brings change, topples regimes
Empires fall with mere words: dispersed, considered, agitating complacency
Educators each hold a megaphone and together they are a quake
The hour and the day is irrelevant
Some days its an easy watch, guarding the border is effortless
But we get busy and the focus wanes
The spoils of war are often generous in riches
They can be shiny and rewarding, however
War is also destructive, rendering mobs silent, we must stay vigilant
If we plan our defense with skill, we can see beyond the distractions
Unite against a common enemy
Peace is harder to maintain than war
Many are restless when things are calm
They seek turmoil, they yearn for a reason to be
angry, mistrustful, a firebrand in and of themselves
With a weapon of words
To battle them we need to listen
and use their words to strategize against them
Find a commonality not a bigger divide
The world around us is not inherently negative
We surround ourselves with positive people
We seek open-mindedness and kindness
As educators we see the good in people
We have hope- this is why this field
is our calling, our passion
We are firebrands
Firebrands are common on both sides of the river
The stream between us is one of common ground, similar values, universal needs
Firebrands stand on the both shores
As the flow of possibility, entices
Both trying to shape the curve
carve the meander into rapids
Many with a passion for kindness
Inciting positive change
Many are radicals for joy
Leaders of a mindful insurgence
Staying mutinous against cruelty, prejudice and discrimination
They continue to be rebellious, because they know the cost
A continued stranglehold on the well being of humanity
Firebrands are so hyper-focused on their passion
nothing else can sway them
Both sides have an army that will fight for their cause
Both fly their pennants proudly
It is time to lower the flags
Build bridges
Listen to the messages not of the extreme, but of the many
These voices have more in common than they have different
They just get muddled by the loud
Seek commonality and the river will slow, become shallow,
so
The positive firebrands can unite- We are educators and we are firebrands of kindness and
mindfulness
Stay open-minded, flexible, be a firebrand- wings expanded, soaring
See beyond the predators and rise with a vision
beyond the confines of what other people say,
what other people do
Glide, sail and ascend, with words of encouragement
enthusiasm and truth
and others will take flight to join you in the cause
Thank you educators, eduheroes, you are making the shift possible. You are inspiring others to be practical rebellions, purposeful agitators and meaningful renegades.
