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Poems
The Problem with Sauerkraut is that
as I reach into the jar to follow a recipe
that calls for several scoops,
each one finds its way into my mouth first,
and soon there
is nothing left for dinner.
And that is the problem with sauerkraut
and politics.
CLR 2026
Dammit, Cheryl.
THE HISTORY OF LOVE
Cheryl Lynn Ray
2026
For Andrew and Kevin
These poems were written between 1990 and 2013. Together they tell the story of how my understanding of love changed over time. The unchanging and overwhelming love I have for my sons is a different story.
Contents
Creating (1990)
The History of Love (1993)
The Dancers (2001)
A Thought (2001)
I Live (2001)
A Happy Place (2001)
Those Words (2004)
Pink Slip (2008)
Where Does It Go? (2009)
Finally (2013)
---------(1990)
Creating
(why it never stops)
Settling in, Settling on,
Settling over and around.
Settling up, settling for,
But never settling down.
1990 C. M.
The History of Love
Once upon a time,
before I came to believe
love was a calculated risk,
I would have lost my life
for passion.
My heart, once broken,
now sits silently
inside a cavity of steel,
untouchable.
Calculations replaced
dreams of someone
like George Bailey
who would lasso the moon
just for me.
C. Morgan 1993
The Dancers
(For grandmother and grandaddy)
The music has softened now,
its melody gray
as a January day.
Together they move
through steps learned
over a lifetime,
their dance shaped
by lean years
and faithful hearts.
Death is taking numbers.
Soon,
it will call theirs.
The temptation is to fear,
to grieve,
to beg the music
to play forever.
Yet their final dance
has the same quiet beauty
as a waddling pregnant woman—
both carrying
what cannot be hurried,
one toward birth,
the other toward home.
Lucky them.
No squalling hunger.
No hard years
spent eking out a living.
Only the grace
of a life
completely danced.
CM 2001
This is a mouse pad I had printed with a rock I painted with a likeness of Jesus, next to part of a poem I wrote once upon a time.
A Thought
I think that God
is simply love,
alive in you and me.
Turn away,
and emptiness
is all that's left to see.
I serve love.
It is my work.
I choose it
every day.
Its presence
guides my every step
along a very
human way.
CM 2001
I Live
In between men
I live
in the silence
between
Good riddance!
and
Hello there!
I can breathe and think and live,
in between men.
CM 2001
A Happy Place
(for a friend mad at love)
I have worked
for these sunrises—
glorious,
joy-filled—
outside my grubby city window.
I have stumbled
like a drunkard
through the streets,
screaming at the gods,
until I realized
I was screaming
at myself.
I have bled from my pores
for this peace of mind.
Then I found
my happy place.
That,
I cannot give you.
You will hurt
in places
you never knew existed.
You may blame
the world
until at last
you are left
with the only one
who can change it.
Then,
you will make
your happy place.
And when you find it,
I just might
be there too.
CM 2001
Those Words
Those words are leaping around
inside my mouth,
dancing a jig upon my tongue,
straining
to squeeze past my teeth,
but waiting
behind
my bashful lips.
CLR 2004
Pink Slip
(for Raymond)
I have loved you
for ten thousand years,
with your blessing,
and at your feet.
Though all wisdom and reason said no,
I lay chained,
a loyal servant,
at your feet.
Lessons learned,
I stood
and walked away,
yet hotly tossed them aside
at your familiar touch,
your voice,
your smile,
and at your feet.
One true feeling
bound me fully,
blighted by the devil's laughter—
a haunting blues melody
inside my heart.
I have loved you
more than any
who dared to enter
all four chambers
of my heart.
Rugged Love,
take your pink slip.
Our work
in this lifetime
is done.
You will always remain
inside my heart,
haunting
as a warning,
so that
in the next life,
I will see you coming
and turn away,
never again
to lay
at your feet.
CLR 2008
Where Does It Go?
(For the family)
Hers for her sister.
His for his son.
Where does this love go
when it comes undone?
He for his mother.
She for her man.
Can anger consume
what love first began?
Where does it go?
it’s gone with the sun.
When love disappears,
does it live on?
Have we mistaken
what love can do?
Or does love remain
when all else is through?
CLR • 2009
Finally
I know you. You have been
a seed, unfolding inside me.
You have been a whisper
in my ear, for decades.
I recognize your voice
from forever,
and revel
in the cadence
which in itself
tells me that you
are me.
CLR 2013
---------
I am you
And you are me
And we are
Us
And
Them.
C.M. 1990
---------
If you are an Online English teacher right now, you might notice that the sonnets being submitted by students are getting quite sophisticated! The ai detector says no ai, the plagiarism detector says no plagiarism, and yet, they are perfect. It’s hard not to be delighted about that, even though it’s confusing. In my last blog I was clear that Chatgpt is getting better at them. Maybe Imagine Learning’s curriculum is just getting that much better at teaching sonnets? Ha.
Are we going into a “digital revolution” in education? I asked Chatgpt that question here:
You
help me come up with a name for the 'age' we are entering now in human society where suddenly student work improves overnight because of technology.
ChatGPT
Certainly! To encapsulate the era where advancements in technology have rapidly improved student work and learning experiences, you might consider a few catchy names:
The Digital Renaissance: Signifying a rebirth or transformation in education due to technological advancements.
The Cyber-Enlightenment: Highlighting the enlightenment or awakening brought by technological tools and resources.
The Tech Revolution: Referring to the rapid and transformative changes occurring in education due to technological innovations.
The Knowledge Tech-Up: Reflecting the sudden improvement in student work and learning as a result of technology integration.
The Virtual Evolution: Indicating the evolution or progression of education through virtual tools and resources.
Feel free to mix and match or tweak these suggestions to better suit the specific context or feeling you want to convey about this transformative era in education.
Hmm. What do you think? Digital Edulution? Turns out someone already thought of that: https://www.edulution.org/
Nine months ago, in April, 2023, I wanted to know what Chatgpt could do, so I tried to get it to write a sonnet. Today, a colleague wondered how Chatgpt would respond to that same prompt today.
Here's the follow up on chat gpt's sonnet writing abilitites. As you can see by the first part, Chat gpt still has some limitations, but wow it has become quite the eloquent writer and I am going to take credit for that. :)
You
can you find the chat we had titled about a sonnet titled Ode to my pontiac
ChatGPT
I don't have the capability to recall past interactions or conversations, including specific chat titles or content. Each session is stateless and doesn't retain information about previous interactions for privacy and security reasons. If you have a question or topic you'd like assistance with, feel free to let me know, and I'll do my best to help!
You
how can I search the chat?
ChatGPT
I'm sorry for any confusion, but as of my last update in January 2022, there isn't a specific search feature for past interactions with this model. Each session is stateless, meaning it doesn't retain information about previous conversations for privacy reasons.
If you're looking for specific information, you might need to rephrase your question or provide additional context, and I'll do my best to assist you based on the information you provide. If you're seeking information about "Ode to my Pontiac," you could ask specific questions related to the sonnet, and I'll try to help with the information I have up to my last update in January 2022.You
I can see the chats on the left hand side of my screen.
ChatGPT
I apologize for any confusion. If you have a feature on your interface that allows you to see past interactions or chats on the left-hand side of your screen, that feature is specific to the platform or application you are using to interact with this model. I don't have visibility into the user interface or any features outside of the text input and output.
If your interface has a search function, you can try using it to find a specific chat titled "Ode to my Pontiac." Alternatively, you can provide details or ask questions related to the sonnet, and I'll do my best to assist you with the information I have.
2 / 2
You
I wrote a blog on
rayclconversations.org titled Ode to my Pontiac Vibe, in April 2023. Can you access that?
ChatGPT
I don't have the ability to access external websites, databases, or specific articles, including those on
rayclconversations.org
or any other site. My training data includes information up until January 2022, and I can provide general information and answer questions based on that knowledge.
If you have specific questions about your blog post or if there's anything you'd like to discuss or inquire about related to the content, feel free to share details or ask questions here, and I'll do my best to assist you within the scope of my training data.You
ok, well this next question is a follow up to that. Can you write a sonnet about how much nicer my lexxus is, compared to the pontiac I traded it for?
ChatGPT
Certainly! Here's a sonnet comparing the virtues of your Lexus to the Pontiac you traded it for:
In garages adorned with tales of trade,
A Pontiac once graced, a choice well made.
Its faithful service, memories embrace,
Yet Lexus beckons, a refined grace.
Through miles, the Pontiac a loyal steed,
Its engine roared, a trusted need.
But now, a Lexus, sleek in design,
A symphony of luxury, so fine.
The Pontiac's heart, a sturdy beat,
Yet Lexus whispers, a comfort seat.
On roads of life, the Pontiac danced,
Now Lexus glides, with elegance advanced.
In traded echoes, memories persist,
Lexus, a journey in opulence kissed.
You
This is MUCH better than the last one you wrote. The meter is almost perfect iambic pentameter; however, the rhyme scheme is aa bb cc dd ee ff gg. Can you change the rhyme scheme to abab, etc?
ChatGPT
Certainly! Here's the revised sonnet with an ABAB CDCD EFEF GG rhyme scheme:
In garages adorned with tales of trade (A)
A Pontiac once graced, a choice well made (B)
Its faithful service, memories embrace (A)
Yet Lexus beckons, a refined grace (B)
Through miles, the Pontiac a loyal steed (C)
Its engine roared, a trusted need (D)
But now, a Lexus, sleek in design (C)
A symphony of luxury, so fine (D)
The Pontiac's heart, a sturdy beat (E)
Yet Lexus whispers, a comfort seat (F)
On roads of life, the Pontiac danced (E)
Now Lexus glides, with elegance advanced (F)
In traded echoes, memories persist (G)
Lexus, a journey in opulence kissed (G)
You
excellent! Now, please include the fact that I prefer the color of the pontiac, it was a lovely silver while the lexus is a weird gold color.
ChatGPT
Certainly! Here's the revised sonnet with the added preference for the color of the Pontiac:
In garages adorned with tales of trade (A)
A Pontiac once graced, a choice well made (B)
Its faithful service, memories embrace (A)
Yet Lexus beckons, a refined grace (B)
Through miles, the Pontiac a loyal steed (C)
Its engine roared, a trusted need (D)
But now, a Lexus, sleek in design (C)
A symphony of luxury, so fine (D)
The Pontiac's heart, a sturdy beat (E)
Yet Lexus whispers, a comfort seat (F)
On roads of life, the Pontiac danced (E)
Now Lexus glides, with elegance advanced (F)
In silver tones, the Pontiac shone bright (G)
A lovely hue, a reflective light (H)
Yet Lexus gleams in a strange gold sheen (G)
A color bold, perhaps an acquired sheen (H)
In traded echoes, memories persist (I)
Lexus, a journey in opulence kissed (I)
You
omg that was clever!
ChatGPT
I'm glad you enjoyed it! If you have any more requests, questions, or if there's anything else I can help you with, feel free to let me know. I'm here to assist!
You
You have come so far since you first struggled to write a sonnet for me about my Pontiac.
ChatGPT
Thank you for your kind words! I'm here to learn and improve, and I'm glad to hear that you've noticed progress. If you have any more requests or if there's anything else I can assist you with, feel free to let me know. I'm here to help!
You
Also, I'm a good teacher.
ChatGPT
I'm glad to hear that you feel confident in your teaching abilities! If there's anything specific you'd like to discuss or if you have questions related to teaching or any other topic, feel free to share, and I'll do my best to assist you.
You
hahahha
ChatGPT
I'm glad I brought a smile to your face! If there's anything else you'd like to chat about or inquire about, feel free to let me know. I'm here to help or just have a friendly conversation!
——————————————————————————————————————————————————-
You
But I have to ask: I've noticed that my students in online classes have suddenly become very adept at writing sonnets, which is not really realistic. Suddenly I have shakespearesque sonnets being turned in. They don't come up as ai though nor are the plagiarized. Can you explain what might be happening?
ChatGPT
It's interesting that your students have shown significant improvement in writing sonnets seemingly out of the blue. There could be a few potential reasons for this:
Practice and Inspiration: Perhaps your teaching methods, guidance, or the materials provided have sparked creativity and interest in sonnet writing among your students. Continuous practice, exposure to quality examples, and encouragement might have resulted in their improved skills.
External Learning Resources: They might have accessed external resources, like online tutorials, workshops, or educational platforms, to enhance their understanding of sonnet writing. There are various resources available that offer guidance and tips on writing different forms of poetry.
Collaborative Learning or Peer Influence: Students might be learning from each other, sharing insights, and collectively improving their skills. If they're discussing and collaborating on writing, it could contribute to their enhanced understanding and ability.
Increased Interest and Engagement: Sometimes, a sudden increase in interest in a subject can lead to rapid skill development. If students have found a newfound interest in poetry or specifically in sonnets, they might have dedicated more time and effort to improve their writing.
Natural Skill Development: Some individuals may have a natural inclination or talent for writing poetry, and given the right environment or inspiration, they might quickly excel in it.
It's essential to encourage and guide their growth while ensuring that they're still learning and understanding the fundamentals of poetry and sonnet writing. If you have concerns about sudden improvements or suspect any issues related to their work, discussing these observations with them or monitoring their progress might provide more insight into the situation.
Points to ponder??? Anyone?
I will always remember the 2023 school year as the year technology gave birth to AI. Sure, it has been present and growing and expanding for decades, but this is the year it was born into everyday life.
I am an English Language Arts teacher and have been for 27 years now, with the past six years as a virtual instructor full-time. As you would imagine, I have daily interactions with students who turn in essays. I’ll leave it there for now and come back to it.
To be clear, this is not meant as some kind of warning about AI. George Orwell did that in his novel, 1984. It might be worth your time to read that short novel if you haven’t. Also, I in no way deny that AI has made my life feel smoother. Although I had no clue at the time, I now know that AI that started intercepting spam phone calls and texts for me. We have all felt that satisfaction that comes with our music choices being personalized. And, every time we hit ‘agree, agree, agree’, to get into a website or app, we put our stamp of approval on AI. We are saying: sure take my information, for what it’s worth. (At least that’s ONE thing we are agreeing to in that case.) Ai is nothing new. It is a tool. But it has evolved into a bit of a nemesis because it is a tool that mimics how to be human.
So what is the deal? Humans have to explore their boundaries. That’s what makes us human. Very few of us would be satisfied to say “Sure we can find a technology to eradicate cancer, but who wants that?” We are human, we expand before we deteriorate, whether we like it or not (I’m referring to the physics law of entropy here). I think humans have a biological secret: We grow, and we grow by creating tools. Ai is a tool.
At the moment, I seem to have a series of sentences, lacking fluency and grace, listing my thoughts about ai. But because I feel I have something to say about the topic, I will be back and I will apply sandpaper and continue crafting, the old fashioned way. I won’t ask AI to write this for me because AI has a very clear voice, and it ain’t mine.
In my mind, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has a face, and this is it. While the nose here is mangled and the face is kind of hairy, this rock expresses AI’s personality in my mind. It’s The Joker, in early phases of finding his voice. I will have more to say on this, soon.
On top of that, there are a few songs from the seventies that portend the coming of ai. If you don’t love AC/DC, you might want to mute your sound. You can read the captions that describe AI.
A hot beverage,
a spiral notebook, unused,
freshly cut grass,
new socks, still in the bag,
a book the librarian is going to share,
a newborn baby,
picking out colors for a new house,
the canvas, prepared,
White shorts,
can you feel that?
It’s hope, but it is joking
because
Hope is, I think, a court jester.
CLR 2022
