He sits and stares
Frozen
He acts like he's working
But
The simple act of emailing
Why
He's abandoning his book
Freezes him
He wants no help, but he's
Paralyzed
And nothing will come
Nothing
I know it's in there
Now
How do I help him
Release it?
Teens have so much swirling around in their brains, don't they? I suspect that "why" is at the back. Can you take him for a walk? You've described it well, Deb--frozen.
ReplyDeleteSometimes it's a puzzle to unlock the "why" with kids. Love the form of this poem with that single word giving the punch.
ReplyDeleteSometimes there is no reason, there is no why. Sometimes it's more than the reason, more than the why. Sometimes the words aren't there. Give it time and space and freedom to share his thoughts. Provide some suggestions but push for honesty -- that's the only way he'll grow as a reader, writer, and thinker. But really? What do I know? I'm with the little people all day long! :) You'll reach him. I'm sure of it.
ReplyDeleteWe noticed this at our after school mentoring program last night - the kids just didn't "seem right" - a little off kilter. Was it the weather, are they thinking about spring break, or were they just plain worn out? Who knows, but we'll just keep trying to reach out to them.
ReplyDeleteI think that Linda has it right...teenagers have so much going on inside them, sometimes they just time to sit and let the thoughts roil around.
ReplyDeleteI think that Linda has it right...teenagers have so much going on inside them, sometimes they just time to sit and let the thoughts roil around.
ReplyDeleteIt's too bad that they spend so much time worrying and fretting and thinking about stuff that is going to melt into the background of their lives - things that seemed important at that time in our lives often were disappointingly unimportant in a couple of years.
ReplyDeleteBut that's just how it is in those agitator brains of youth.
Hopefully it isn't something really serious though. I'm sure you will sort it out!
It's amazing, how we all teach different levels, yet, we see so many of the same behaviors. What does that tell us about our kids? About us? About the system they are in?
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing the emotions here! I appreciate it! :)
I know what you mean about those kids who "fake" learn. They think we don't see them or the posing. If they only knew.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great description of those frozen moments that strike kids! Is it fear of being wrong? Worries about something outside of school? Uncertainty of how to start? Love this slice! (And we were reading each other's blogs at almost exactly the same time -- fun!)
ReplyDelete