Sleeping

This is a prose poem by Vern Rutsala
I thought it was really clever and I'm basically feeling like sleep kicked MY ass last night... ugh.
So here it is,

Sleeping

Though winners are rarely declared this is an arduous contest
similar, some feel, to boxing. This fact can be readily corroborated
by simply looking at people who have just awakened. Look at their
red and puffy eyes, the dishevelled hair, the slow sore movements,
and their generally dazed appearance. Occasionally, as well, there
are those deep scars running across their cheeks. Clearly, if
appearances don't lie, they have been engaged in some damaging
and dangerous activity and furthermore have come out the losers.
If it's not dangerous- and you still have doubts- why do we hear
so often the phrase, He died in his sleep?
-Vern Rutsala

to be understood is to understand...

So I am really supposed to be writing a paper about the history of women in education. It is only supposed to be 8-10 pages long but for some reason it is like pulling teeth for me to write this thing... when was it due you ask? well... it was due YESTERDAY.

I went to class and sighed sheepishly and Jane (the absolute angel of understanding and generosity) said "Do you need an extension?" I said "Yes please, Thank you."

I know I should be really glad I get more time to write this paper but really I just feel like a big jerk. I've had the syllabus all semester and should have started the paper long ago, but when did I start? At 8 pm the night before it was due. I don't know why Jane would allow slacker students like me a chance to succeed when I truly don't deserve it.

I guess that's a good puzzle for me to think about as a future teacher...
it shouldn't be the goal of a teacher to want people to fail... yet there should be definitely be high standards and due dates... I don't want to get walked all over... sigh*

I need to figure out what I think about such things as extentions and re-takes for my philosophy of beliefs... I want to be merciful but not to have kids constantly taking advantage of my lax due dates.

I guess all of this will come with experience... onward!