Joy that is lovely, but will not last.
They did Ms. Oliver proud . . .
Today's lesson started with Mary Oliver's words,
"Oh, to love what is lovely, and will not last!
What a task
to ask
of anything, or anyone,"
and then moved into current events. The students are looking at how the Constitution was written and phrases like "popular sovereignty," "checks and balances," "rule of law" "federation." They've been reading pieces of the anti-federalist papers and the warnings Brutus wrote. It's the basics, and I've asked them to look for stories that touch the Constitution. It was not an easy class.
I saw them all slumping in their chairs, so I enlisted a student's Spotify and had them dance around the room until the music stopped. They faced a partner and told about what they love that is lovely but will not last. They peered out the window at the winter sun, they talked about cookies, hoarfrost, a dive into still water, music in headphones, flowers in spring, puppies that are fostered until a home is found. They did Ms. Oliver proud and remembered that they can talk about hard things and still notice the joy that surrounds them.