Art, Education, Literature, Poetry, Publishing, Writing

Make Your Poetry Ugly Beautiful

Do what? Poetry. Who needs it? It does not sale in the market if you're looking to make money. For people who read, poetry seems to cause emotions almost as extreme as politics. They either like or they don't. My husband has hated poetry most of his life, but claims I am bringing him around… Continue reading Make Your Poetry Ugly Beautiful

Life, marriage, Mental Health, Poetry, PTSD, Uncategorized

Hear the Sparrow

June has come, and I hear the sparrow. A woman tells me Her husband says, “I didn’t know the stress you were under ‘til you left that place. When you came to a better place, I got you back.” I rush home in my van to tell you the good news. There is hope, I… Continue reading Hear the Sparrow

Art, Education, inner city, Poetry, reality, Writing

God Left Green Street, a poem

I saw them gather at the church. I did not join them there. God left Green Street on a day in April when black-gray clouds intersected. A fight on the street, or in the school, the boy will meet you there because God grabbed his hat and coat. He left the kids of Green Street.… Continue reading God Left Green Street, a poem

Education, Family, Life, Poetry, PTSD, Writing

A Better Place, a poem

"Get up and smile," someone says. "You're going to a better place." They say it like "All dogs go to heaven." Your best pet went to live on a farm upstate. The battles are over, The fires put out, Some think I'm crazy to compare a house of learning to the place where militia hide… Continue reading A Better Place, a poem

Advocacy, History, Life, marriage, Mental Health, PTSD, Writing

Daisies on the Fields of France, a poem

Daisies on the Fields of France   By Rebecca T. Dickinson   I stand at the kitchen door with light lemon hair curling at my shoulders. Untucked, gray shirt   as eyes stare at another plain in my mind that no soul-stained teacher wants to see or hear again. Meet me in the here and… Continue reading Daisies on the Fields of France, a poem

Advocacy, Education, Family, Mental Health, PTSD, Writing

Travel in the Writer’s Wilderness: Hope when Others See What is Lost

I'm like a house that's been set on fire. Firefighters put it out in time to save it. The house is only damaged. It can be restored and made more beautiful than before. 

Art, Education, Family, Friends, Life, Poetry

I Would Not See, a poem dedicated to my co-workers

I took one last walk down the hall. My husband waited for me there. I could believe I would not see Your eyes drop down at the ground, or you smile through clenched teeth to say, "One day more." I waited for this day to come, and when it did, I smiled wide until I… Continue reading I Would Not See, a poem dedicated to my co-workers

Art, Education, Life, Photos, Poetry, Writing

Writing about Goodbye

Poetry contains photographs. Old school poetry didn’t interest me much, but when introduced to early twentieth century poets, my world changed. Poems didn’t have to rhyme. Lines could break. You could paint with words or create pictures through the placement of words. In my last blog, I wrote about how we, as writers and teachers,… Continue reading Writing about Goodbye

Advocacy, Characters, Education, Life, memoir, Poetry, Writing

A Purpose to Write

Writing has dominated my life. Reader: (most sarcastic voice) Becca, I had no idea. I communicate better through writing than when I talk face-to-face because it could depend on which side of my personality I wish expose or hide when I speak with someone.  Most of the time, I have little time write my memoir,… Continue reading A Purpose to Write

Life, Poetry, Published

From Fiction to Prose Poetry

My husband said, to my family's horror, the poet has gone into the cave this week. I didn't grade or check my work email. I let the most essential part of myself, the author, fly free.  I love teaching, but so much of myself has to be constrained. It goes with the professional atmosphere, and… Continue reading From Fiction to Prose Poetry