Slice of Life Post for March 5, 2025: 7:08-7:39 by Barb Edler

This morning I’m feeling particularly bitter. Yesterday I saw images of Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert heckling President Biden during his State of the Union address. At TRump’s address, Rep. Al Greene was removed for his boos. I wish every democratic leader would have left when this occurred. The irony being demonstrated on the national stage is glaring.

This morning my head is reeling with an anger I am not sure I can contain. I believe in protecting individual rights. My heart hurts for Ukraine and Transgenders. My state is also doing much harm to the public education system through their voucher system. I am completely terrified with the direction our state and national government is taking.

Now, I am debating about sending an editorial letter to my local newspaper. A satirical piece to show the blatant stupidity of the voucher system which does not require any oversight. Here’s a draft I’m playing with:

In the fall of 2025, I will be opening up a new school at my home, and I hope you’ll consider all I have to offer. First and foremost, I am an experienced teacher who has credentials for K-12 talented and gifted students, an M.A. in Literature and Language, and a 6-12 secondary teaching license with an emphasis in language arts, speech and drama. 

Due to our state’s voucher system, I will receive monies from the state to help pay for any necessary supplies. Fortunately, I have great internet access at my home. Plus, plenty of yard for the children to enjoy during break times. 

One reason I believe you should send your children to my special school in Sandusky is because my lessons will be wizardly. Your child will be completely engaged throughout every lesson. I promise there will never be a dull moment at my grand institution.

If you are interested in enrolling your student, please send a certified check for $1000.00 to secure your child’s place. Think of all they will be able to achieve without having to take a single test or suffer through any oversights the state places on our public schools. Your child will never be compared to another or be quantified through some complicated statistical review.

Note, this is just a draft, and I will be tweaking, especially to make the sarcasm clear and to show how alarming the voucher system is. I’m not against private schools, but I am against public funds going to private schools that have no oversight.

What am I doing between this particular slice of my life? I’m stewing. I’m writing. I’m trying to make sense of my world, and I recognize that I am completely bitter and unhappy.

morning’s sky is
               pussy willow blooms
                         spilling lilac tears

My haiku to share my feelings about the early morning gray and rain. It rained all day yesterday.

He worshipped her wickedness
Everybody is. Wicked
his innocence lost in a wilderness
consumed by her wickedness
He bent the knee, full of willingness:
she trifled with his foolishness.
Everybody watched. Everybody is wicked.

A triolet I played with yesterday. I think it connects well with the national stage drama.