Britt Decker – Dare to Care

Slice of Life – Protest and Open Write Poems for February

February 17, 2025February 24, 2025 Denise Krebs6 Comments

Today there were Not My President Day protests all over the country, especially in state capitals. I have hesitated to say “not my president” because on some level I know we have elected a felon for president in this county, but we have not elected the acting president, Elon Musk. For that reason, Not My President Day was a perfect name for the protest. I went with my sister, her granddaughter, and a friend to a protest in Palm Springs, California.

I hope we can continue to #BuildTheResistance and have each protest grow in power and numbers. Read more about 50 protests in 50 states on one day at #50501Movement. There is no way we should find ourselves watching while our democracy is in such great peril.

Poetry is a good way to protest, as well. Here are some poems from this month’s Open Write.

February 15, 2025 “Show Your Love” with Donnetta Norris

It’s Black History Month and
here we are in america
aiming to forget all that was,
so our future will be born
ignorant and closer to where
our white ancestors made war,
nurturing the rot that became
our unfolding. No justice, no peace.
Today we rename and
amplify past genocide
and call it patriotism.

Striking line by Nikki Giovanni in “The Great Pax Whitie” “And america was born / Where war became peace / And genocide patriotism”

February 16, 2025 “Hope Lies Within” by Stacey Joy

truth
unarmed–
believe it–
truth unarmed and
unconditioned love
will have the final word.
truth and love stronger than fear.
Yes, in reality, hope will
have the final word. Right stalled today
is stronger than evil’s triumphant gain.

MLK Nobel Prize speech “I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right temporarily defeated is stronger than evil triumphant.”

February 17, 2025 “Healing Hurts” with Britt Decker

A lifetime of sisterhood,
so fragile now in old age
with your inimical, hateful beliefs.

Do you also find my beliefs to be
destructive? Hmm…

Not to the planet,
not to the poor,
not to the cold,
the hungry,
the oppressed,
the marginalized.

Perhaps you are worried
my beliefs will lead to the
destruction of my
chance for eternal reward.

I think I’ll take my chances.

February 18, 2025, “Inhabiting Life More Fully” with Amber

Patriotism
shines through warriors under
Mother’s spacious sky

February 19, 2025 “Characters We Love” with Seana Hurd Wright

Brave and bold
Tenacious and honest
Uncompromisingly courageous
Humble and intelligent
I wish more people were
like Louis the Swan

March 25 – 5-4-3-2-1 Reflection This Week

March 24, 2023March 24, 2023 Denise Krebs15 Comments

March 25, 2023 TwoWritingTeachers.org

I followed Britt’s lead today, using Canva to write a reflection on my week using this 5-4-3-2-1 format. I first saw the reflection on Heather’s post last Friday, and then I saw it more and realized it is also a popular exit ticket for students. It’s been a couple of years since I’ve been on Canva, and now I’ve used it twice this week. Even without a school email any longer, I was able to do a lot using the basic account.

I am participating in the March Slice of Life Challenge: A slice a day for all of March. Thank you, Two Writing Teachers!

February Open Write Poetry

February 26, 2023February 26, 2023 Denise Krebs1 Comment

Fables, Fairy Tales, Folktales–Oh, My! with Stacey Joy

All dressed up
And no one knows
The foolishness inside.
Interim wisdom shows

But once mouth opens
And words tumble out
The ass is revealed
Stupidity, now no doubt

Inspiration from: The Ass in the Lion’s Skin and a proverb:
Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent;
with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.
Proverbs 17:28

Me, Too with Britt Decker

I’m sure I’m not the only one who

chooses the front row at conferences
raises my hand to be the needed volunteer
does a double take when seeing a sunset
cleans my plate at every meal
doesn’t drink coffee or alcohol (that makes me the permanent designated driver)
can be interrupted and switch gears automatically
edits anything and everything I read or see
can listen to one thing while reading another
thinks some people talk too much
lives life as a young person in an old body

Lift and Line and Make it Golden with Stacey Joy

I loved reading Giovanni’s “Kidnap” poem–those last lines where kid and nap are separated is fun. James Weldon Johnson is a favorite; he lifts my spirit, even with this line I chose, “God of our silent tears” from James Weldon Johnson’s “Lift Every Voice and Sing”

God, are you there? It’s me, Denise
of endless hope, but thinking
our world teeters on the brink. Do not be
silent. Please, come and change our
tears into joyous laughter.

Another golden shovel is from Jimmy Carter’s “Considering the Void”: “an infinity of suns”

an earth of time brings an
infinity of stories–pleas
of possibility,
suns of soul

Written on a Shirt with Britt Decker

Why does this sweatshirt say Alcaraz?
It’s Alcatraz Island–the prison,
you know, in San Francisco bay.
Oh, I thought of Albert Alcaraz,
grade six, my first crush.
Nope.
Ok, that’s fine. I’ll take it.

Etheree with Stacey Joy

Run,
Children,
Sense and know–
Wild and loathed things,
Turn to the sun and
Dance on the rainswept days,
Someday you’ll see those who have
No voice, they’ll need someone, and you’ll
Remember your loves, all your years of
Tending the fragile; you will be the one.

Inspired by Nicolette Sowder’s poem “Wilder Bond“