This is the most joyous frog (borrowed from here) I have ever seen. I don't feel quite as happy as this guy does at this exact moment, but I'm trying. I'm trying.
Today is the last day of classes for the semester. Today I collect fifty-some portfolios. Today I wave goodbye to my students--all except the creative writers, who I'll meet up with next week Wednesday for coffee and bagels and presentations. Today we talked about what's next, where you go from here, what poetry means in, or to, the real world. Some asked about publishing. Some will go back to their personal projects--genre fiction, comic books. Today I said, It's been my pleasure, and I meant it.
Today the magnolia at the house around the corner has pink buds. Today I am wearing jeans and sunglasses. Today there are handshakes and Good lucks and Thank yous. Today I slept a little too late and drank Mountain Dew, not coffee. It made me feel like a sophomore again.
Today I drive home with my stacks of manila and listen to "Don't Worry Baby" and "Wedding Bell Blues" playing on repeat. Today I crunch the numbers for the creative writers. Today I make the list of what needs to be done here in the next week, what can be done in Wisconsin the week after, what needs to be ready for the six weeks of summer session that start in May.
Today I think about the beach, but only briefly. Today it is sixty-five degrees and climbing. Today socks are not needed.
Today is my last day in my first year of full-time teaching.
Today I'm drinking a beer.
yay froggy! And yay for an official year of official experience. Clink your beer against something that will make noise and think that we're all there celebrating with you.
ReplyDeleteAddendum: Today I wanted a hundred beers and maybe forty cigarettes. Instead I went for a run. SOMEBODY GIVE ME A MEDAL FOR BEING SO GROWN-UP.
ReplyDeleteThis frog still rocks, however. Good ol' South American Budgett's frog.
What if you really did smoke 49 cigarettes?
ReplyDeleteWell, that would make you the coolest person in the world. The whole world!
...you still have to send one with Darren on it. And he better be scowling or have Macauly Culkin hair. (how the fuck do you spell that kid's name?)