We're working on writing this week in English class and preparing for next week when we move teh school to Rome for the week.  Last night's assignment was to read some poems on Rome and an interview with Billy Collins.  This  morning's 10 minute freewrite is to write an invocation to a muse...an imitation of Hardy's poem... no editing...just get it down...)

Invocation to a Muse (an exercise for English class inspired by Thomas Hardy's poem "The Vatican -- Sala Delle Muse")

O Muse of Good Cheer, inspire in me 

laughter when there is no heat or hot water for two days in a row.

Make me compassionate when students worry about grades more than about learning.

Grant me calm and humor and understanding 

in the face of children's squabbles.

Let me enjoy a cappuccino in Viterbo

rather than being grouchy all day because I got only six hours of sleep, no heat, and no hot water.

Let me appreciate Roberta and Dave and Pat for their humor and efforts in getting said heat and hot water.

Let me remember that image of the map of Italy with my feet on it as I walk the one block, past Fontana Grande, to get to work.

Let me revel in Renzo's loud greeting across Via Cavour this morning, as I stewed over late assignments, and he yelled over, "Buon lavoro, bella!"

I could only smile once I heard his booming voice, saw his happy face, translated his Italian in my head.

Let me be open to those moments day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute.

This is a day in Viterbo after all.