canceled, isolated, distanced
dazed, befuddled, harried
rationed, washed, disinfected
zoomed, homeschooled
furloughed, fired, scared
impoverished, subsidized
learned, helped, sacrificed
inspired, respected, thanked
hospitalized, intubated, died
lied, gaslighted, denied
masked, tested, untested
endured, abided, accepted
annoyed, outraged, protested
anticipated, waited, voted
—Terri Guillemets
like wild animals, I am happy hiding
the artificial frightens my being —
but it is time to fight for the earth
—Terri Guillemets
scrambled blackout poetry created from Rafe Martin, Birdwing, 2005,
the wilderness died
of a broken heart —
from bad decisions and
evil battles of grown men
—Terri Guillemets
blackout poetry created from Rafe Martin, Birdwing, 2005,
In the 1990s, I worked at a couple of elementary schools as a special needs aide for physically and mentally challenged students. I was also a crossing guard, cafeteria and recess monitor, classroom and teacher’s aide, front office worker — and my favorite job of all — I worked in the school library!
When I was learning the ropes, students would come in and ask where the
“…If you keep
your eyes open enough,
oh, the stuff you will learn!
The most wonderful stuff!…
There are
so many things
you can learn about.
BUT… you’ll miss
the best things
if you keep your eyes shut…”
—Dr. Seuss, I Can Read with My Eyes Shut!, 1978
And by the by, if that particular librarian ever reads this, please know that
—Terri Guillemets