The document describes a mother and teacher who balances many roles and responsibilities. She wonders if she can do it all while hearing water and seeing the sunset. She wants more free time but pretends her piles of work disappear, feeling tired yet touched by the warm breeze. She worries about time passing too fast, cries for others' hurt, and understands things cannot always be fixed but says she will try again anyway by dreaming of easy teamwork and thinking of others, hoping others think of her too.

1. I Am
I am a mother and a teacher
I wonder sometimes if I can do it all
I hear the sound of water lapping
I see the blaze of the sun setting
I want inexhaustible free time
I am a mother and a teacher
I pretend the piles of files disappear
I feel a heavy sleepiness
I touch the warm breeze
I worry the clock is ticking too fast
I cry when I know others are hurting
I am a mother and a teacher
I understand sometimes you cannot fix what
is broken
I say I will try again anyway
I dream of easy collaboration
I try to think of others
I hope that others think of me
I am a mother and a teacher
Jenny Shickley, Spring 2013