Before the flower can blossom,

before the tree can leaf,

before the tomato can ripen,

the work must begin inside the earth,

unnoticed and unseen,

to develop roots.

Today I’m starting on the roots.

tony travels

eats noodles

drinks beer

jokes with dishwashers

has tattoos

and a girlfriend

except that he doesn't.

not anymore.

tony cusses

wears t-shirts

writes books

likes to smoke

stars on tv

and tells stories

except that he won't.

not anymore.

tony cooks

advocates

champions

motivates

inspires

and connects

except that he can't.

not anymore.

tony seems happy

except that he's not.

could not hold on.

so we mourn

memorialize

eulogize

celebrate

and hold memory close

because tony is gone.

Soft imprint on the wet sand, you’ve aged.

Time and the elements have eroded the statement you once made.

It would be easy for a passerby to pass you by, unknowingly.

But I am here contemplating your presence

and waiting to hear you tell your story.

It would be simple to wipe you away and pretend you were never here.

But you are here, and that’s important.

You are important. You are proof that there is, or was,

Life, and sorrow, and joy, and love

Walking right here at the edge of the sea.

I’ve noticed you, and I care.

I care that you’re here, who you are, where you’ve been.

If I looked for you would I see you again?

Would your story be the same no matter where? Or when?

Or do you change like the shifting sands in the wind?

It’s quiet here, more peaceful than any remembered place.

I’m ready. I’m listening. I’ll wait.

I do have a story. I was left behind. Not abandoned, really.

There is no other option for one such as me.

I am, only because someone moved on

And left me to fade into nothingness, never noticed, never lasting.

But you did notice, and by your noticing I will endure.

And that is important.

You looked at me, and in seeing me, made me matter.

In writing of me, gave me life.

And in considering me, you have gifted me with humanity.

That from which I came and thought I had lost.

You are my witness.

You are my preserver.

You saved me.

You were young when you were broken,

still strong, rough around the edges.

It was not time that tore you down,

it was the work of man.

Yet here you are, defiant, holding your ground,

unyieldingly obstructing my path.

And I admire that about you, 

your not giving up, or in.

In fact, I’ve stopped to sit with you.

You refuse to go unnoticed.

I’ve only just stepped over you

And now turn back to look.

You are a masterpiece of natural beauty,

with graceful arches and soft curves.

Though your limbs are bent and awkward,

I find strength in you holding your ground.

You are no longer an obstacle,

and though you were worthwhile, you are behind me.

I’ll always remember that you gave me pause,

but did not keep me long from my journey. 

I’ve come to visit you today,

but your house is empty.

I do not see you here.

Sunlight shines in through the windows

and the door, which stands open.

I know you’ve gone away.

Once upon a time I’d find you,

when you were reliable.

Now, it seems, I’ve lost you.

I’ve looked for you other places,

and still can’t find where you are.

I’d heard that you loved me.

Was it I who gave up on you?

You who forgot about me?

Does it really matter?

I suppose I’m better off now,

the real me in this empty room

without fear and self-doubt.

And as I look back I can see

you were never really there.

It was always just me.

then came the rains

pounding and persisting

neither bidden nor welcome

yet cool and cleansing

necessary and refreshing

renewing and transformative

you develop an new perspective

and you learn to breathe under water

I am a barista. I have been educated and trained to do what I do, and I use those skills and that knowledge to serve all that come into my shop (classroom). I have many flavors and styles to offer, though it all still comes down to coffee (social studies). It is my job to learn and understand many ingredients and palatable combinations to make sure that I offer each individual what they need. I am limited only by my suppliers (administration, boards of education, state departments, and local, state, and national mandates), who try to offer me the freshest and most exciting products available. I do what I do because I love coffee (education) and my customers (students). Many come willingly and truly appreciate what I have for them, but others come only to be with friends and do not want what I have to offer. For some, what I serve is bitter and not at all to their liking, but exactly what they need to wake up. For others it is sweet and frothy and just what they enjoy. I am a barista; I do not simply pour coffee, I offer you my expertise to make sure that you get what you want and need. If I am unsuccessful at satisfying my customers, I will, in all likelihood, no longer have a business. So, day after day, I walk into the shop with a smile, an expectation that today I will do my best to turn someone new on to coffee, and will serve all who step up to the counter.

My name is Stella Celeste Porter, and I am divine.

Well, my name means ‘heavenly’, so same thing really.

I am also ‘of the stars’, or so my name tells me. And a ‘gatekeeper’ too.

I am of the stars, what is there that I can’t do?! Really?

I live in a tree house from which I run an ice cream shoppe. Because I can. I like to spell it ‘shoppe’. Because I can. Because I am divine.

My tree is a crabapple tree. It’s a wonderful tree. I like living in a tree. If I am a ‘star’, I might as well be as close to the heavens as I can be.

My shoppe is called the Star’s Divine Ice Cream Shoppe. Duh. My best selling ice cream is my sweet crabapple. I know you are saying “crabapple? Why that’s just yuck.”

Not my ice cream. I can make sweet crabapple ice cream, because what is there that I can’t do? I am divine.

I like music, love it actually. As I am a ‘star’ I have chosen my own theme music and I hear it wherever I go. Guess what it is? You’ll never guess…

No? It’s ‘When You Wish Upon a Star’ by somebody called Jiminy Cricket. I think.

Why this song? Well I am ‘of the stars’ so who better to make my dreams come true than me! I am divine.

I am also a gatekeeper. I like this part of me. It’s a lovely part of me.

You might think that gatekeepers are mean and are always turning people away. That’s not how I do it.

I like to welcome people in. To my tree, to my shoppe, and to all the magic around and inside them.

I am Stella Celeste Porter, and I am divine. And regardless of your name, you are too. Let’s play!