From one of my Creative Writing students, given the prompt- 3 ways of looking at _________. (She chose “Mr. Romo”)

 

It was the pants. That day I found out too many compliments can turn a man sour. Mr. Romo, upon receiving compliments, becomes the poetic hulk. He writes to express his pride but anger only ensues. He takes the pent up rage out on his students. Terror.

The bike, Mr. Romo riding the streets with knee and elbow pads complete with helmet, one of those visors on it. There is a serious/sad look on his face while he peddles, bottles strapped to the back of his bike, messenger bag at his side. He rides home to girls.

Mr. Romo, sitting at his desk, he is reading, he is asking for more time, he is looking at the floor. Mr. Romo’s only expression is sad. He can only be sad, he’s looking at the computer, I’m not sure what at, I’m guessing Twitter. Even while handing the office aide the attendance he looks forlorn. Dear Mr. Romo, feel better, take care.

Rejection I got today

 

Hi, Daniel  –

I like the style here — and no doubt these poems will find suitable homes in short order.

But, alas, not for ______ just now.

Clearly, you can write!

Honored that you thought enough of us to send.

Much good fortune with these!

I fear no rejection

 

After submtting nine times since 2010, I FINALLY got an acceptance from Word Riot. Whew… finally.

Bling”ish”

 

I finally cashed the check I received for my first published poem for payment. I bought this and had enough money left for a smoothie from Jamba Juice. I haven’t worn a watch in years, but I thought it would make for a cool reminder of my first poetry paycheck. I think it’s me.

from my forthcoming book of poetry this year – Romancing Gravity

FREQUENT FLYER

They put bite-size chocolates on the long tables
to appease us at our monthly staff meetings.
Show us graphs on degrees of retention.

      We are losing our children.
      We need to plan lessons with more rigor and relevance.
      Our students are playing catch-up to India.

The day before in my creative writing class,
Kenneth Platt asked anyone who’d listen—
“Did you know that we lose 40 to 100 strands of hair a day?
The Neanderthal’s brain was bigger than ours?
That India has more sex than any country in the world?”
To which Mitch replied, “Book me a flight to Bollywood, baby.”

      We need to use our instruction minutes wisely.
      Students can’t learn if they’re not actively engaged.
      They’ll never fulfill our expectations if we can’t
      stimulate them enough to pay attention.
      As educators, it’s our job to…

I stare at the spinning ceiling fans
imagining I’m in Calcutta—
a transcendental passenger reflecting in a rickshaw
letting someone else earning meager pay lead me around,
so I can raise my hand and ask,

“Um… What are we supposed to do again?”

Can you believe I bought these for a quarter each?

 

After discovering this by Mary Ruefle, I was inspired to do some of my own. These just may work. A quarter. Can you believe it? Can you?

Found Poem- Magnetic Edition

 

I found a set of magnetic poetry in a box in my classroom. I felt like Barry from Storage Wars. Mostly government words. I made this.