Adventures in NaPoWriMo 11/30

if not for a nightmare
then maybe the heat
or the reminder of food not put away
the sound of the neighbors' dog
mixed with the music across the street
maybe thirst
or headache
or a million other reasons
all of this to say, no
missing you isn't the reason why
i cannot sleep

Adventures in NaPoWrioMo 10/30

to balance a checkbook
begin by writing your income in black ink on the top line
subtract your rent
subtract your light bill
subtract the blood draw from Verizon
weigh the price of gas against how much it will take to get to work
take a sick day
and fill up the tank
consider the frayed edges of your too-small jacket
throw it on the scale with a new shirt or two
add milk and chicken and a loaf of bread
see what must give for the load not to break
string a tightrope between this payday and the next
grip your sanity with both hands and steady across
smile slight when ignoring your friends’ invitations
pretend that you like the small of home
ignore the self-loathing in the pit of your stomach
rob peter
pay paul
promise patrick that his is on the way
stop answering the phone around the 13th
recite the verse about small beginnings
remember you have travelled this rope before
take a deep breath
hold on

Adventures in NaPoWriMo 9/30

lesson plan

take attendance

check the homework

pass out banana bread and chocolate milk

check for dress code

ignore the shirts worn twice in a row

check for a change in colors

ask tysean about his daughter

give him coupons for diapers and teething rings

hug stephanie

hug dionte

smack josh upside the head

tell him

the next time he wants to curse at a teacher

to pretend he is cursing at you

watch his shoulders sag

accept his apology

pass out paper

pass out pencils

pass out spanish to english dictionaries

remind miguel he does not have to hide who he is

when he tries to put it away

smile at gloria when she asks for more breakfast

whisper you brought some food for her to take home

tell her you’re proud of how she takes care of her brother

ask if her aunt is still looking for jobs

play some music

let them check the morning warm up

let them laugh at your awkward dance

encourage ruth to sing

tell andy not to

tell andy to get back on task

tell andy if he does not stay in his seat

he will have to take out the breakfast trash

find a marker

take a breath

turn to the class

say let’s get started

teach some math