Day 16: SOL#16- An Inspired Writing Exercise

The Slice of Life Challenge is hosted by the inspirational writers of Two Writing Teachers. Each March, they invite people to join them in a commitment to write every day. Here's to another year of daily slicing!

In today's post, I am combining a pair of quotes that I've connected in my own head. "I never write exercises, but sometimes I write poems which fail and then I call them exercises" is from Robert Frost and shared by John Gardner in The Art of Fiction. “Its always worth wondering about what you don’t write about" was a statement made by Shana Frazin on a recent staff development day.

I don't usually write poetry, and I'm trying today because if it fails, it's a writing exercise:

I write essays on what I teach and learn
and stories about life's moments
picture books
and
memoirs
and
middle grade fiction
but not poetry.

I write about
shortcoming and shortfalls
sixth and seventh grade
fitting in but not belonging
secrets and truths
but mine
and not about
the secrets my daughters keep
and hold tight to their chest
that only come out when I ask
the perfect
question.

I write about me. 
What's mine, what's mine to share
What's mine to give and take and take and give
What't mine to explore and reflect and grow.
The lies I told to stay home in fifth grade
The fall on my lunch box when I broke my tooth
The brownies that we didn't bake because
Instead we ate the batter,
(All of it.)
The tagged pages of Forever
The whispered secrets
Of best friends.

And the decisions of what diapers to choose,
What house to buy
Whether to take the vacation we really
really want.
What fight to pick
What battle to choose
What secret to share

To stay safe
And happy
To be loved
And to love.

Phew. Okay, there it is. I'm calling it a writing exercise (thanks, Robert!), and I'll keep writing my essays and stories, but I'll also keep wondering about what I don't choose to write or write about. (Thanks, Shana!)

Thanks also to the SOL community as we round the bend toward the end of the month!