The Sestina: Pick Up a Pen by Patricia Theriot
I stare off, daydreaming about my future,
As I sit by the rushing river.
There are so many unfulfilled dreams,
And a wish for my kids to brag about my name.
Will I see pride on their usually immovable faces?
I need to begin, so I pick up a pen.
A clouded brain keeps my hand from using my pen.
What is the first step when working on the future?
I look at my classmates and see their baggy jeans, graphic tees, and young faces.
My head is lower than when I sat by the river.
All I can do is pick up a pen and scribble my name.
This is my shaky first move to reach distant dreams.
It is too early to think about dreams.
Uncertain fingers fumble with blank paper and an old pen.
There are long nights, unwritten papers, and flashcards left to do to prove my name.
Dedication and dark under-eyes come before a better future.
One day I will freely dangle my feet in that same river,
Because I will have heard, “That’s my mom!” and see the respect shown on their faces.
I can barely lift my head in between yawns to notice anyone’s faces,
As I chug black coffee to awaken from my dreams.
If I could just sleep in the soft grass by the soothing river,
But I cannot sleep, I must cross out mistakes from first drafts and revise with my pen.
I can almost hear the congratulations of that sought after future,
That creates a new meaning to my name.
I am in my long robes, and my tassel hangs in anticipation as I hear them call my name.
I look in the celebratory stands and see my family’s familiar faces.
Every whispered “Yes, I can” pushed me toward this future,
And now my children have new achievable dreams.
They will also decide to use a pen,
Once they finish thinking by the river.
Now I swim in that rejuvenating river.
And students repeatedly call my name.
I model and teach with my pen,
I never imagined so many inspired faces.
I watch the start of new, realized dreams,
That will cause a once discouraged kid to consider a different future.
Many of your faces will be reflected in the river.
You will have beautiful, vivid, and achievable dreams about your name.
When you are ready for the future, I can hand you a pen
ponderwithpatty 