An Uphill Battle: A Poem for Reformists

It's going to be an uphill battle,

But I would never guessed it to be - 

As I was brought to the world of helping others

By those as curious and as passionate as me.

But I need to fight through each grueling step.

I need to help the naysayers learn to say "yes".

I will push my way into the light.

I will live in a world where the future is bright.

It's going to be an uphill battle,

And I don't have much choice

Because somewhere, out there,

A confused child is waiting for me to be their voice.

As many of you know, my truest and deepest passion lies with educating children. My goal in life is to repair the broken American Education System, even if only for the 30 kids in my class every year. 

I always assumed everyone I met would agree and support my decisions as a teacher. Who wouldn't want to do what is scientifically proven to be the best thing for their children? Yet, as I continue to go through my pre-service training, the more apparent it becomes that that is a lie.

I will have to fight, tooth and nail, to support the children that I love, the children that have yet to even be conceived. 

I wrote this brief poem after a very emotional encounter that reminded me of this fact. I will constantly be fighting for my students, and they cannot afford for me to give up.

Bill Cunningham

It is strange, really, to give thought to inspiration? Where does it come from? Why is it that when it hits us, it consumes us, like a fire ready to set our very souls aflame?

I just had the pleasure of watching Bill Cunningham New York - an amazing documentary based on the humble photographer who had a passion for fashion. He never paid any attention to his own material world, instead he lived through the fabric expression of others.

As soon as the film ended, I looked Bill up on Facebook, and was deeply saddened to find he had passed away this past summer at 87 years young. I wish I could have met him. I wish I could have followed him around for a day, much like to documentary crew. I would bask in his infinite wisdom of the craft, of human nature, of mindfulness, and of New York City.

Even from spending an hour and a half with his story, I have felt a reawakening of my creative urge - my hunger to use my many crafts to connect with the Spirit of the Universe that binds every human, animal, plant, building, atom, together.

Thank You, Mr. Cunningham.