Express Yourself

Be who you are and say how you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.
--Dr. Seuss

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Give Me A Double!

                                


Waiting
Just a little while
Wondering
‘bout double cheeseburgers
Stacked little burgers
Smaller than the palm
Of my hand

Waiting
Anticipating
Steamed buns
Spirals of onion
Round and round
Old style pickles
Mustard
Cheese

Ready for my
Delectable
Double cheeseburgers
Hmmm!
Grease drippin’
Down my chin
Effortlessly falling
Onto wax paper
Encapsulating
All of the flavor
Hmmm! Hmmm!

 Service with a smile
Precious cargo
Kindly delivered
On a silvery platter
Jewels of delight


Double cheeseburgers
All the way
With fries overflowing
Drenched in brown
Savory gravy

Double cheeseburgers
A cardiologist’s nightmare
But seriously…
What do I care?
My heaven—
On Earth
Hickie’s
Double Cheeseburgers

By Maureen Ucles












Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Reading Is Thinking 2.0 with Stephanie Harvey

Today I attended the first day of the Stephanie Harvey Reading Is Thinking 2.0 Conference. As I walked into the hotel I wondered about all that I would learn. I was excited to learn different ways to use the technology tools to enhance my literacy and cross curricular instruction. I have always been inspired by the work of Stephanie Harvey, so I knew that being here would be beneficial for me and my future students.


Stephanie Harvey

I am leaving a very satisfying position in my district as a former district instructional specialist and as a Lead iCoach (similar to a district literacy specialist) where I worked with curriculum, teachers and schools to share the latest strategies that enhance instruction. I have worked on the district level for seven wonderful years. I have decided to leave that position and join a great 4th grade team at Westwood Elementary to teach. It is refreshing and totally exhilarating to return to my first love, teaching elementary students.   Because of this, being at this conference is truly inspiring.  I really enjoyed a refresher on comprehension, but have learned a lot about how group collaboration must be taught and how it goes hand in hand in teaching all subjects. It will work especially well with project based learning and blended learning. The videos were very informative to watch and debrief.

Stephanie Harvey is no technological pushover either. I loved how Stephanie encouraged us to tweet using the hashtag #RITX2015. She is into Twitter like I am. It is nice to see that!

I had the great opportunity to talk to Sara Holbrook while waiting for coffee. We had a great discussion about writing and teaching poetry. It was nice to speak to a fellow poet. High Impact Writing Clinics. She also blogs too. We have much in common.

Maybe tomorrow I will have another opportunity. Last year I bought her book and have used it some with students and teachers. It is called

As if my day could not get any better, I looked at my Twitter notification and read that Katie Muhtraris coauthor of  Connecting Comprehension and Technology is following me on Twitter! Is that cool or what? Please don't say what. We watched a video of Katie in her 5th grade classroom. She uses technology seamlessly in her classroom. I cannot wait until tomorrow's breakout session. Katie will be presenting to my group. I will learn from someone who does this everyday. I will take copious notes. There is so much to learn and it is right in front of me. I expect to walk away with so many ideas of how to blend technology with comprehension study. This upcoming school year, I won't be watching teachers get to do what I love anymore. I will be able to get first hand, extended opportunities and you can bet you bottom dollar that I will take the plunge and do it. I know it won't be perfect, but a great work in progress. Like Stephanie Harvey said today, " I am going to go slow to go fast."


What is my reflection on today? I am still taking it in and processing. I need to sleep on it and let the brain process all of this into my working memory and hopefully arrive at long term memory. It was certainly meaningful. Chances are, as David Sousa stated from How the Brain Learns, if learning is to have a high likelihood to be retained and stored in long term memory, it has to be meaningful (relevant) and make sense. This training is definitely relevant and makes total sense.


Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Words of Freedom-Soy libre


Not to worry, I will add the accents tomorrow. I just wanted to get it out tonight. Blogspot doesn't allow for accents in Spanish.  Disculpe por ahora.


Words of Freedom-Soy Libre

by Maureen Ucles

I can
post what I want
say what I want
expresarme

I can 
let the words fly
off of the page
from my thoughts
pensamientos
locked deep inside
waiting to be released
to be expresada


I can
write what I want
be who I want
not considering you 
anymore
not in the least

I can 
be free 
how I want
no holding back
letting go 
freedom rings
in my ears
en mi corazon
en mi alma

Yo puedo
expresarme
para librarme
demonstrarte
quien soy


Yo puedo volar
alcanzar mis suenos
mis deseos
que tengo dentro
mi espirtu

no voy 
a quedar callada
no mas
no voy a
escuchar sus palabras negativas
no mas
me quedo
feliz y libre
para expresarme
and be me
that I was meant to be
YA

Left In, Out

Left In, Out
by Maureen Ucles

Left in,
Left out
makes me wanna
scream
yeah you got it
just wanna
shout
out loud
AAAAHHHHH!

Makes no sense
not in the least
these decisions
 left in
 mostly, 
mostly... out


Why me?
What have I done?
Left it all on the floor
blood, sweat and tears
but...
but do you care?
not in the least
no time
can't find a crease
in which to fall
tumbling down
like John Cougar Mellancamp
so far
 descending
into the depths


Left in,
Left out,
abandoned
on this barren black top
baking in the cruel Sun
unforgiving
relentless
you won't stop
leave
my thoughts alone
on my last nerve
but why?
What have I done?

Like my dad 
always said
Work hard
put it all out there
things will fall 
into place
not this time
nah
slap in my face
spittle to replace
my feelings, pride, dignity
can't understand
stupid
idiotic
insipid
hideous
heinous
crime scene

Left in...left out
I need to
 let go
forge a new path
I'm
 toast
burnt to a crisp
left in...thrown out
keep quiet
SHHH!
Not a word
rock this boat
Me?
Ima
Scapegoat extraordinaire
nobody

But...
Not givin' in
nunca
jamas
about to
rise above
snatch 
 rebound
two hands
take it up strong
slam dunk
in your face
POSTERIZED!
as I
run down the court
Look ahead
No problem
 Like Old Man Riverwalk
Timmy Duncan
All business
 I master
the disguise
hidden
maybe a little wise
Truth be told
Can't stand to look at you
The utter sight
brings chills down my spine
stomach churns
You're
a polar vortex
frigid
and...
not worth
my time
thoughts
nada

Gonna
flee
this tired, sorry scene
evacuate
confiscate
then
librarme
de este
  stinkin'
disturbance
currently
downgraded from
category five
to a 
tropical wave
or posiblemente
not a cloud
in the bluest
skies
Why?

I'm
gone
steppin'
moving forward
got my momentum
groove's on
No looking back 
Left in?
You kidding me, right?
I'm out!
Hasta la vista!
Adios!
Bye-bye!
Out of here!
See ya!

Lemons and Lemonade-Inspiration in Acidity

Making Lemons

by Maureen Ucles

Lemonade 
sitting by the stand
please come forth
with your acidity
ph factor
so sour, sour, sourful

Lemonade sitting in the sunlight
not too tart
not too sweet
better than Country Time
Hand made
over time
squeezed, squeezed
guts and all
juiced and filled
with zest

Lemonade, Lemonade
how many lemons are you?
Replete with a few seeds
that escaped the squeeze
ice chilling
almost ready
to freeze
while you juice
I muse
peer into...

Lemonade, Lemonade
was it worth it all?
you are gone 
spent
peels thrown in the trash
the blood, sweat and tears?
So many years
yet...
impaled
torn
breached
yet
so
sweet


Lemonade, Lemonade
can you make it here?
Can you make it there?
Does anyone ever
seem to care?
Winds blowing
Breeze showing
Me knowing...
I
like you,
making
Lemonade

Lemonade
giving it up--
releasing the fear
hey,
never know
new frontier
prancing and dancing
seeing 
through crystal prisms
 different 
views
doors, window
closed, opened
my
souls  a searching
me perching
lookin' in
Ain't no sin
Just drinking it up
my life
my lemonade
Ahhh!


Hits the spot!

Boxed Inn No More!

Boxed Inn

By Maureen Ucles



You’ve got me
Boxed in
Cornered in all directions
This place
Reeks of basement mold
Expired packaged peanuts 
and puffy, plastic pillows
Or was that your ego-
rather inflated?
Invading my brain
Contusion
So
Concussed
Withering to rust
Oxidation in
This stinking,
Stifling,
Stagnant
Boxed Inn

Where do I reside?
In your embrace?
No, more like
A chide
Cruel slap across my face
‘cause I can’t find
Anything
In this dastardly,
Dilapidated
Place
Incarcerated—
Cruel and unusual...
Torture

Banished
Ostracized
Tainted
By my original sin
Like
Adam and Eve
South of Eden
North of Nowhere
Descending
Plummeting
Into the depths
From the abyss
To abysmal
Get me outta of this
Horrible
Hellacious
Horrendous
Boxed Inn

Hotel California
Checksd in
No way out
Wanna
Gonna
Tear down
Wailing walls
Crumbling
Piece by piece
Inch by inch
Imploding
Exploding
Onto me
Boxed Inn
Metamorphosis


Reaching
Beyond reach
Grasping
Catching
A glimpse
Light eternal
Gravitating
Encapsulating
The tangible
Surreal
Peace…peace
Permeating
My being

Me, myself and I
Without you—
Outside this
Cruel confinement
Into solemn serenity
Boxed Inn
No more…

Checking out!

Boxed Inn by M Ucles

Boxed Inn

By Maureen Ucles


You've got me
Boxed In
Cornered in all directions
This place
Reeks of basement mold
Packaged peanuts and puffy plastic pillows
or was that your ego?
Inflating my brain
Contusion
Utter
Confusion
So
Concussed
Withering to rust
Oxidation in
this stinking,
stifling,
 stagnant
Boxed INN

Where do  I reside?
In your embrace?
No, more like
a chide
slap across my face
'cause I can't find
anything
in this dastardly, dilapidated
place
incarcerated --
cruel and unusual
torture

 Banished
ostracized
tainted
with my original sin
like
Adam and Eve
South of Eden
North of Nowhere
descending
into depths of darkness
abyss to abysmal
Get me outta of this
horrible,
 hellacious,
 horrendous
Boxed Inn

 Hotel California
Checking in
No way out
wanna
gonna
Tear down
 wailing walls
crumbling
piece by piece
inch by inch
imploding,
exploding
onto me
Boxed Inn
Out


 Reaching
 beyond reach
grasping
a glimpse
any spark
light eternal
the heavens
I
gravitate
 encapsulate
the tangible
surreal
peace...peace
permeates
possibly
infiltrates
my being

Me, myself and I
without you--
outside this 
cruel confinement
into solemn serenity
Boxed Inn
No more
checking out!

Numbers

Numbers
by Maureen Ucles

Eighteen 
more days
Eighteen 
more weeks
Eighteen weeks 
and two days

Or was it eighteen minutes?
Eighteen hours?
in a twenty-four hour day
Eighteen seconds?
Eighteen

Eighteen 
 the number
I contemplate
Might go irate
if I have to wait--
wait any longer

Eighteen minus two
Eighteen 'til were through
'til I am done
stick a fork in me
completely

Eighteen
Eighteen
Eighteen

Cannot 
Will not
No way
No how
Stop me
from closing
this door
this window
this cell
pad lock
want to 
block
any semblance
of you
not even
a hint
nor hue
will do
Enough said
We're 
Through

Eighteen hours
days
months
years
decades
millenniums
eternity
done

Eighteen weeks
two days
'til
I run
skip
slip
into
oblivion
catatonic state
never to be
heard
seen
again
by
you

Eighteen
Eighteen
Just eighteen
sound the horn
pull the alarm
two if by night
one if by me
You ain't got
what it takes
you lost me
 clear as day
in the night
at...
never had me
no completion
just an utter
act of deletion
done

Eighteen
Seventeen
Sixteen
Fourteen
and so on
can't wait
clear the way
no more hurt
no more tears
just blue skies
pristine
beaches
without you
and your
disfigured ways
grotesque character
breaking away
free
I am
one last word
gotta say
here it comes
Eighteen



Toxic Revisited

Toxic

Toxic
Some kinda 
disgusting
Poison
You are

Yapping
Bloviating
Wading
Into
Murky
Disgusting
Flood
Waters
Disdain
Cubed

Spite
You are 
full 
of it
Full of
Spite
livin' 
day by day
bathing
wallowing
stagnating
STOP

Tired of
hearing
your 
mouth
spewing
noxious
fumes
hurling
vitriol


Why don't 
you
callate
tu boca
por favor
shut it 
tight
you might
consider
taking
flight 
from
all you say, say
and do
'cause 
I'm past
tired
Yap
Yap
Yapping
Regurgitating
criticism
cyncism
all to 
a
catastrophic
crescendo


Letters after your name?
What do you have?
Just letters
full of 
Look at me!
I am
this 
that and
everything
just me
myself
and my
mouth!

Stop it already
can someone
get a word in
edgewise?
Toxicity
Weapons of mass
destruction
people's lives
 ideas
squelched 
beneath
the weight
of
your 
unrelenting
disdain
pain
cruelty
demeaning
behavior
stifling
those in your path


Humiliation
you're armed 
lock and  loaded
taking your
Hypocritical
oath
to inflict
as much harm
to whoever
you 
wish 
Funny?
Hardly

STOP!
Please stop!
Basta ya!
Leave 
and take your
toxic ways
with you!

Migraine

Migraine Headache

 Migraine



 by Maureen Ucles
I feel a headache
coming on
dizzy

I feel a headache
very strong
gotta sit
down

Light sensitivity
Lights
Prism like lights
stretching
blurring
my vision
gotta
rest

I feel a migraine
creeping in
closing my eyes
head down
leave me
be

I feel the  migraine
blaring
blaring
 it's ugly 
head
mind numbing
throbbing
throbbing
pain
migraine

I feel a migraine
taking hold
stomach upside
down
mind's wailing
when will it end?
rest calling
calling my name
slumber
beckons



This migraine
relentless
ruthless
turn down the shades
Tylenol
by the handful
eyes closed
damp cloth on
my forehead
laying supine
on my bed
Migraine
debilitating
excruciating
Migraine
in the house
behind the eyes
subsiding
maybe
possibly
but
slowly
quietly
Migraine