Spinning the Tires, Scraping the Walk

Here we are, Dear Imaginary Reader, all the way into February and it still feels like January.

Another day, another smug weatherman,
Another3-5" of snow.
Another daybreak parking lot
Another slog through the slush
Another icy sluice through the boot.
Another paper turned in late
Another dog eating homework
Another student texting under the desk.
Another conversation with the custodian
Another lonely complaint- won't somebody hear?
Another dog whining at the door.

Rinse, repeat for 31 days. Yep, that's January.

So it was with relish that I looked forward to the weekend. My grades were in. My new semester students seem loverly. Our writing portfolio is coming along nicely. The journals are filling with entries, with thoughts, with hopes and doodled imaginings. But in the end, it sort of ....fizzled away. Sparklers when you're expecting fireworks.

I had actually planned to sit down in front of my trusty laptop and write this weekend. So what happened? February. February happened. Suddenly, January wasn't relevant anymore. The blog I was going to write about my friend who seemed to be on  a path to self-destruction? Well, she pulled out of a tail-spin and is back on track. The drama report from the pub? Since the water froze up last week, everybody's been staying home. Why if it weren't for the roadkill, this place would be downright boring.

I'm working with my senior students to create a practical writing portfolio. A resume, cover letter, letter of complaint, all formatted properly, signed, etc. But it takes some imagination to get a good one going. One has to imagine that they have already graduated from college and are seeking employment.

"Dear U.S. Park Service:
I have recently graduated from the SUNY school of Forestry at Syracuse University and was wondering if you have any jobs available. I would prefer something in Oregon, as far away from NY as possible.Working with medical marijuana would be ok."

"Dear Sir:
I would like to apply for the position you have available. My previous experience includes dishwasher at _____ restaurant, and working for the Ukrainian mob. My people skills and cleanliness are excellent."

"Dear Mr Awesome:
Hello! My name is _______ and I think you will want to hire me once you find out a little more about me!"

Sometimes, it's a struggle to keep them focused. It's a business letter, not a dating service.

Then, there's the custodian. My former custodian, Mr Lopez, was the best. The absolute best. Born in Jamaica, he never failed to delight me with his pidgin phrases:

On hearing that my 77-year old father was still going up ladders:
"You must never let your father go upon the ladder."

On his girlfriend "Boo" on a shopping trip:
"Everytime the phone be ringing, money be spending."

His standard reply to my desire for a glass of wine:
"Aint' nothing wrong wit' dat, man."

Why I could go on and on, a veritable Boswellian ode. But alas, he is no longer my custodian. He's been kicked upstairs, promoted. And so those of us on the North hall are left behind.

And so February drags on, like Linus VanPelt's blanket across the floor. For a short month, February takes for ever to end. And in along the way are Valentine's Day and Ash Wednesday.

Did I mention that I spent the weekend throwing things away? I can fit all my summer clothes into three totes. 
They are stacked on particleboard shelves in the unheated attic.

Here's a strange poem for a strange day. Which too, shall pass. And I like imagery just as much as the next person but I'll be danged if I can figure out what Adrienne is getting at. Except for the choking on verbs. I'm sure we've all done that.


Tonight No Poetry Will Serve


Saw you walking barefoot
taking a long look
at the new moon's eyelid
later spread
sleep-fallen, naked in your dark hair
asleep but not oblivious
of the unslept unsleeping
elsewhere
Tonight I think
no poetry
will serve
Syntax of rendition:
verb pilots the plane
adverb modifies action
verb force-feeds noun
submerges the subject
noun is choking
verb    disgraced    goes on doing
now diagram the sentence


2007 
Adirenne Rich