I spent the day at a very large elementary school today, where I spoke to every single student in the course of my visit.
it was daunting, but delightful.

No less than 5 children told me they were going to grow up to be authors.
(Actually, one said, "What are you again? ‘Cause that’s what I’m going to be!")
Later, one wide-eyed 3rd grader asked me if I was really famous.

But the best part of the day might’ve been when a class of 3rd graders surprised me at lunchtime with a poetry reading — their own original pieces. Most had them memorized and quite a few were very funny. There was a haiku about Disneyland, and a rhyming couplet about giving a beaver a fever. The kids were all so enamored with their own work, and so happy to share it in front of each other and me. Would that we could hang onto a little of that openhearted confidence over the years…

When I stepped out into the sunshine after the last session, I had to squint.
The day had gotten so pretty. And now the sun’s gone down but really, it still is…

Haiku 12
4/12/2010

half-glance at the sun —
behind low lids, a glowing
that will last and last