School

NaPoWriMo – 2013 – Day 4 – A Series of Unlikely Explanations

| Sandra Pavloff Conner

NAPO 2013 BUTTON

Day 4 of the NaPoWriMo challenge offers a very unusual prompt.  Here it is in the words right from the NaPoWriMo site, in  host Maureen Thorson’s words:  “Recently, I read an article about the Scottish science fiction writer Iain M. Banks. His books often have spaceships in them. And those spaceships have extremely odd, poetic names. Like:

Prosthetic Conscience
Irregular Apocalypse
Unfortunate Conflict of Interest
Gunboat Diplomat
Very Little Gravitas Indeed
A Series of Unlikely Explanations

So your challenge for today is to write a poem with a title drawn from one of these spaceship names.”

Now, the list of spaceship names on the site is much longer, but I stopped with “A Series of Unlikely Explanations” because it is the one that inspired a poem for me. Since the title is borrowed from a science fiction writer, I kept the science fiction theme as well.

You’ll find the poem below, and if you want to take part in these fun challenges for National Poetry Writing Month, just visit this site:
http://www.napowrimo.net/


SPACESHIP CARTOON - MY PHOTO EXPLOS

A SERIES OF UNLIKELY EXPLANATIONS 

“Johnny,” said his teacher, “where’s your homework?”
“Uh …” the child replied, “well, it’s like this.”
Then calling on his great imagination,
John recited his excuses like a list.

 “I saved my book report until the last day
Because I wanted it to be so fresh;
I wanted to review again my story,
And type it so it wouldn’t be a mess.

“But when I went to print it out on paper,
The printer said that it was out of ink.
So Dad said he would go to Wal-Mart for some,
And that he would be back in just two blinks.

“I waited and I waited with my printer,
And as the hours ticked by, I fell asleep,
But did not wake until the sun disturbed me,
So quickly from my chair then I did leap.

“I went in search of Dad, but found him nowhere.
My mom said he had called to say goodbye.
He’d seen a spaceship land not far from Wal-Mart,
And with those spacemen he’d agreed to fly.

“He said it was a chance for rare adventure,
And he was sure that you would understand,
And promised that when he returns with more ink,
My book report will be a story grand! 

“I know you tell us life’s a great adventure;
Of opportunities to be aware,
So I was sure you’d want to wait ’til next week,
To have my book report to read and share.”

~

Photo Challenge: ‘Thursday’s Windows’ – 3rd Week

| Sandra Pavloff Conner

Well, that time has rolled around again, and I am posting a photo from my old high school days.  The picture shows several of my classmates in study hall, but what catches my attention is that whole wall of windows at the back of the room.  They are the epitome of “School Windows” from about 4 or 5 decades ago.  (Yes, I’m really that old, but don’t tell anyone.)

There’s just something so special about them to me.  They were the same throughout the school — and throughout many U. S. schools during those years. (In fact, I can’t look at windows like that without thinking “School.”)

The top windows of each set of three opened out, and the bottom windows opened in.  You twisted the little handle on each window to open it, and of course, there were no screens.  But during the first and last month of our school year, the weather was so warm (or hot) that we had to have those windows open.  And because of the way they opened in two directions, they did offer a pretty good breeze. Virtually all of our classrooms had them across the whole length of the outside walls, and it made things quite pleasant to have that much natural light and to be able to see the rest of the world outside while slaving away at the books.

Just looking at them brings back so many wonderful memories of those school days. I bet a lot of you out there remember them as well — but you don’t have to admit your age if you don’t want to.

And don’t feel that you need to post windows pertaining to schools this week.  The challenge is still the same and will remain so until we get tired of it.  It’s just “Thursday’s Windows” — any kind, any size, any where. I’m really enjoying all your entries.  Isn’t it amazing what a variety there is of something so seemingly “ordinary”?

Remember to post the link to YOUR picture in the comment section below.

P. S.  I have to be away from my computer for a few days this weekend, so if I don’t respond to your picture right away, don’t think I’m not interested.  I will be looking forward to seeing all of them when I can get back to the Internet.

The Cycle

| Sandra Pavloff Conner

“To work, to try, to learn
Is not a simple thing.
My teacher, though, thinks learning
Comes on swift, effortless wings.

“I’m sure she never struggled
To get words to come out right.
Or understand their meanings;
Recognize them all on sight.

“She’s prejudiced against me;
Doesn’t like me above half;
Just wants to cause me trouble;
Wishes I weren’t in her class.”

“I know how Peter struggles.
I’ve heard him heave the sighs.
I’ve seen his eyes drift out to rest
On azure-colored skies.

“He thinks I’m hard and unfair
When his homework’s never done;
When I make him keep re-taking tests
Instead of having fun.

“He doesn’t know I struggled once –
Knew the failure and the shame.
Has no idea the reason I teach
Is to save him from the same.”

 

Weekly Photo Challenge: Friendship

| Sandra Pavloff Conner

My high school class at our 45-year reunion last year.  A room full of friends who made a difference in my life in so many important ways.