Group poem written in the virtual creative writing workshop

with professor, poet, and author Charlotte Matthews '81

The Water Is Wide

We were taught to think broadly
and read tirelessly up in the
lofts of our middle school classrooms, 

to delight in nature, swooping
our bodies down the roly poly hill 
hiding in woods during kick the can 

to belt out song exuberantly
to look at nature reverently
to act and play and dream,

to give our all and give to all
because that good work does 
conquer so much more than we know. 

We carry these lessons all these  
years, searching for new lessons in
stars and birds and fields.