Thursday, August 26, 2010

Her Spotlight

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THE PLACE

The place,
a secret spot
not yet destroyed by city concrete.
She loves to go there,
especially
in the Fall.
Just one step inside
the trees
and you can understand
beauty
and what it's really all about.
When she's there
she lets her emotions
take over
and she dances.
There's no need for music.
The wind, the water,
and the rustling of the leaves
create their own symphony.
Rays of sun
break through the chill
and become her
spotlights.
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Earthy browns and greens,
vibrant reds and oranges
of the changing leaves
are her background.
All of this is her stage,
This place,
in the middle of a concrete world,
where she can
express
the joy in
the beauty around her.

by Audrey
This beautiful poem was written by Audrey, one of my students several years ago. She wrote this while in my 7th grade language arts class. I contacted her at a college in Oklahoma to get permission to print it. The writings my students did never ceased to amaze me.



2010-The Year of Longings

He longs to dance with us to the music of His own symphony; yes, the wind, the water, the rustling of the leaves.

I long to walk, even to dance, in the spotlight of Jesus' love, deterring the enemy of my soul because he is afraid of light.

The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Romans 13:12


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a partial reprint from past pages in anticipation of fall--


I got out a big box of my former students' writings last night and went through them for an hour or so--such a simple pleasure but oh, so rewarding. Linking to Dayle and other lovers of Simple Pleasures--

Project Simple Pleasures2


I'm also linking to Cindy at I Owe It All To Him--to see others favorite places, please go here.

29 comments:

  1. Beautiful words, beautiful photos!

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  2. An amazing writer that Audrey - thanks for sharing it - it's lovely...

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  3. I'm fascinated by such writings. Thanks so much for sharing the talents of your former students. What a wonderful Simple Pleasures post. I'm glad you linked up today.

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  4. How beautiful! I can feel the lightness in my feet as I dance to the music of the wind, the water, the leaves rustling. Life changes for that moment as we let go of that surrounding staleness of the city, or of the day-to-day busy-ness. And we are changed forever.
    Thanks for sharing.
    loving you, ~ linda

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  5. What beautiful simple pleasures. I love that you saved many of the writings and poetry of your students. I'm sure you were a wonderful and memorable teacher.

    Blessings and love,
    Debbie

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  6. this is so beautiful. I feel it...

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  7. Autumn is my favorite season and this
    poem is just beautiful. It needs to
    be published. I'd love to do a cross
    stitch picture using it. Your photos
    are lovely as well.
    Love you,
    Sandy

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  8. I love everything about this - the memories of your students, relishing in your life's work, the anticipation of fall, the scripture reference. It's perfect!

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  9. I know EXACTLY of what you speak here. I'm a former language arts teacher, too. I have kept a box of their old writing and books that we bound for our classes. It gives me a GREAT deal of pleasure to revisit them.

    The young lady has a gift. I wonder if she is majoring in something associated with it.

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  10. The poem is so well done. I think you must have been an excellent teacher. Your photos are lovely, as usual. Your longings make me want to find a place to dance -if only I knew how. ;)

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  11. what a lovely, mature poem for a seventh
    grader! and so perfectly framed by your
    beautiful fall photos.

    thank you for sharing. i bet you were a
    great teacher!!!

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  12. Dianne - this poem could have been written about me. I absolutely love the outdoors, especially in the autumn. Beautiful photos, as usual.

    I know it's truly a pleasure to read the writings of your former students. I've enjoyed what you shared today.

    Blessings,
    Joan

    PS - I like your new blog look.

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  13. A lovely post with breathtaking pictures. Thanks for inspiring.

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  14. So much feeling ~ togther with this amazing photography .... I feel myself slowing, absorbing. What a wonderful feeling, realizing the impact you've had on these young people!

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  15. I can just feel the wind and hear the rustling of the leaves! What beautiful writing! Your Pictures bring it all together so wonderfully!

    It would be such a pleasure to see the fruits of your labor !! No doubt, your students were blessed to have you!!

    Love you

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  16. Wow, Dianne,
    What a beautiful post and talented student and beautiful pictures!
    Tomorrow (Friday) on my I Owe it All to Him Blog, I am having
    a link party and you're welcome to link it up...
    I'd love to have you join us.
    Love,
    Cindy

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  17. Hi Dianne,
    Gee, you were quick--Yay!! This is so beautiful I know people will love seeing it...I still keep thinking of those haunting pictures where you told about the sunlight coming in the window.

    And also, your music is so pretty on here.
    Love,
    Cindy

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  18. What a lovely reflection. The colors and images of Fall are always beautiful. Best wishes, Tammy

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  19. Wow, you have had some talented students! It's got to be so fun, and hard sometimes too, to meet all these differnt personalities and students each year. That picture of leaves is beautiful. I love fall leaves.

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  20. Just gorgeous! I feel more fully alive in the Autumn and this reminds me...it is close now. Thank you for this. Blessings!

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  21. Dianne! this is absolutely wonderful!
    how amazing it is to reread those treasures that we find along the way of our teaching days...
    I love your new blog look... it's stunning~

    The poem is beautiful... As I read it, I wondered who wrote such thoughtful words... so beautifully placed alongside you photos.

    You always amaze me, Dianne ~ and so do our students, don't they?!!!

    sending you love and wishes for a beautiful weekend dear ♥
    ~Maria

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  22. Dianne, Thank you so much for the book information, it sounds perfect! I'm going to go order it! So nice to meet you too!

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  23. It is so peaceful here, I like it!
    Thanks!

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  24. Wow, the pictures are so gorgeous, and the poems just perfect. How wonderful to have them to read. I kept some of my students' works from eons ago, too. Last year I tried to locate a few of them and give them to them. I actually found a few of them. One was so grateful I had returned it to him. This was in the days before computer and so I had the only copies.

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  25. beautiful poem and pictures!
    deedee

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  26. Oh how beautiful! The poems as well as the pictures. What wonderful memories to savor.

    Debi

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  27. What a beautiful poem. Especially written by someone so young and with such insight . I love the photo of the leaves also...very refereshing comforting and peaceful. Hugs Crystal

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  28. Thinking of you dear, Dianne ...
    Your heart is sweet and gentle and so precious ♥
    God has entrusted great talent with you and oh how you must please him ~
    Bless you always in all that you do ~
    *wishing you sweet days ahead*
    ~love,
    Maria

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