[The Stage is on Fire] is a page-turner in which, much like life, there are no easy answers and yet each step of the journey yields insight and hope. This work of heart must not be missed!
Melanie Faith
Creative Writing Teacher, Essayist & Poet.
Katie Steedly’s first-person piece [The Unspeakable Gift] is a riveting retelling of her participation in a National Institutes of Health study that aided her quest to come to grips with her life of living with a rare genetic disorder. Her writing is superb.
The Society of Professional Journalists
In recognition of receiving the Dateline Award for the Washingtonian Magazine essay, The Unspeakable Gift.
I thank you … It is the authenticity of your “class notes”; and it is the delicacy and skill with which you present the nuances of classroom life and the actuality of your students’ and fellow teachers’ lives.
Maxine Greene
Philosopher and Education Scholar
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MONDAYS ARE FREE EXERCISES 136—140
Bookshelves. Books. Gifts. Presence. Thought. How.
EXERCISE 136: WHAT CAN YOU (NOT) DO WITHOUT?
as a reminder
Write an anaphora poem using the phrase “Without which”
The Bookshelf In My Childhood Bedroom
Without which, I would have never learned to love to read and write. Without which, I would have never learned to memorize poems. Without which, I would have never learned the stories of Margaret, Ralph, Sally J., James, Trixie, Wolf, Charlie, Nancy, Winken, Blinken, and Nod. Without which, I would not have explored the world. Without which, the constant presence of bookshelves —wherever I have lived, and I have lived many places over the years — would have not comforted each life transition. Without which, curiosity’s joy would not have taken root in a soul meant to ask big questions. Without which, my love of words might have stayed a brief flirtation, a passing glance rather than a deep abiding quest. Without which, my as if, not yet, the I am would be a pale ghost companion to a restless shadow self. Without which, every tool would be a hammer and all hardware a nail. Without which, history would tell limited stories. Without which, life’s lyrics would be a silent song. Without which, my paying attention muscles would atrophy. Without which, the seeds of being a writer would not have been sown. Without which, my heart would be heavier. Without which, I would have less hope.
EXERCISE 137: WHAT WERE YOU GIVEN?
using the phrase
Write an anaphora poem using the phrase “I was given”
Gifts of My Childhood Bookshelf
I was given a passport. I was given permission. I was given words. I was given language. I was given imagination. I was given exploration. I was given joy. I was given wings. I was given soft landing. I was given gentle nudging. I was given breath. I was given tears. I was given comfort. I was given connection. I was given conversation.
EXERCISE 138: PLAY WITH THE REGISTER OF YOUR SPEECH
anaphora anaphora anaphora
Write an anaphora poem using the phrase “Under the present conditions”
My Current Bookshelf
Under present conditions, morning light shines sideways. Under the present conditions, my bookshelf reads like a life road map. Under present conditions, my books live in no certain order. Under present conditions, my bookshelf testifies to yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Under present conditions, my bookshelf holds my grandmother’s angel collection, half-started journals, and a teapot I purchased in Woodstock years ago. Under present conditions, my Ganesha collection watches over my work. Under present conditions, I keep buying books and the shelves overflow. Under present conditions, cat puke frames two over-watered plants. Under present conditions, I cheat on my current bookshelf by listening to audiobooks. Under present conditions, philosophy sits beside research sits beside memoir sits beside spirituality sits beside biography sits beside history sits beside poetry. Under present conditions, my grandmother’s cookbook collection sits in a box waiting to be shelved. Under present conditions, books fall into my hands and invite me to read them. Under present conditions, I have an imaginary conversations with the best people. Under present conditions, I search for answers daily. Under present conditions, learn about equanimity, loving kindness, breath, and empathy.
EXERCISE 139: NOTICE HOW AND WHAT YOU ARE THINKING
i have been
Write an anaphora poem using the phrase “I have been thinking”
I have been thinking about my bookshelf.
I have been thinking about Toni Morrison’s proclamation to write the books we want to read. I have been thinking about the magic of books and stories. I have been thinking that books and stories heal. I have been thinking that each book is a mirror. I have been thinking that each character is a connection. I have been thinking that each cover is a masterpiece. I have been thinking that each chapter is a bite of bigger meal. I have been thinking that life is too short to read all the books I want to read. I have been thinking that boxes filled with books are heavy to move and worth every pound. I have been thinking that we can quit reading a book before finishing it. I have been thinking I should not feel guilty for listening to books. I have been thinking that I never want to live in a house without books. I have been thinking that books make wonderful gifts. I have been thinking that reading books eases my anxiety. I have been thinking that reading books might be the path to universal peace.
EXERCISE 140: WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, HOW
using the word
Write an anaphora poem using the word “Who” or “How”
How Books Matter
How we connect with stories beyond our experience. How we build new worlds with words. How we create community when we read together. How we inspire imagination. How we explode the shape of our days. How we develop the muscles for radiance and resistance and resilience. How we leap while creating the net. How we fly close to the sun and not burn. How we hear whale song. How we share stories and drink wine. How we curl up and drink hot chocolate. How we follow rabbit holes and ask questions. How we look at clouds and see miracles. How we count rings in tree trunks. How we watch ducks walk together. How we pay attention and tell about it.
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About Katie
From Louisville. Live in Atlanta. Curious by nature. Researcher by education. Writer by practice. Grateful heart by desire.
Buy the Book!
The Stage Is On Fire, a memoir about hope and change, reasons for voyaging, and dreams burning down can be purchased on Amazon.
