Relax (OR #5)

A few weeks ago in class we read “Relax”by Ellen Bass. The poem is rather contradictory when taking into consideration the title and the poems content. The poem is based on all of the things that can go wrong and making them known. Bass eloquently yet bluntly mentions the inevitable happenings of life while simultaneously making the reader aware of the small joys of life. To me, the poem glances at the broad stressors of life while focusing in on the moments that truly matter. In her poem, she uses the fine details of a strawberry to show how to find peace and relaxation in the small things. 

I decided to imitate her poem in my own way by creating a poem detailing things that can go wrong as a teacher intern. I give a play-by-play of the major things that could happen and I focus on the delicious moments afforded by a cup of coffee. I found this project to be very therapeutic and rewarding. My hope is that this poem will help me process through the tough times so that I can enjoy the moments that mean the most. Hopefully my rendition does the original justice. 

Bad things are going to happen. 

Your car will break down and you will have to get rides from your parents. 

You will mess up a lesson while being formally observed. 

A parent of one of your students will send an angry email to the principle complaining about your teaching. 

You will cry in front of that principle and your mentor teacher because you don’t want to disappoint them. 

You’ll call a student by the wrong name 

and get called out by that student in front of the class.

You will forget to gather homework for a student who will be gone for a week – she’s asked you twice. 

Your alarm will not go off in the morning – 

hello new updates overnight.  

But in the midst of all of the chaos – 

your mentor teacher will bring you a cup of coffee.

You look down at the steam whispering from the cup, 

you take a gentle, small sip and close your eyes. So here’s the reality of the situation. 

You will see many bad days.

You will slip on the ice in the parking lot and scrape your hands trying to catch yourself. You’ll be bogged down

in grading and stress from school. 

You will make mistakes. 

Oh, taste how dark and rich 

the blend is, how the aroma

fills your soul.