Emo Kirk

Loving is an ordinary act
like running bath water
or cutting green blades of grass.
These feelings can lead to more—
a towering explosion of ice.

There are arms wrapped in lace,
and rose petals on sleeping eyes.

I am going insane with rage.

I’ll love you—
hurl myself down 1000 flights.
I’ll love you—
fling myself in great light.

I won’t let go-
pull your head underwater.
We’ll see starfish, glowfish,
and long, electric eels.

Kissing is an ordinary act
like paint peeling or blood clotting.
Ash falls after war.
It blankets what remains.

I’ll kiss you—
wash your hair, your hands, and your feet;
I’ll live for you and your low voice of love
and for you I’ll be and be and be.

Kissing is an ordinary act
like living and breathing and dying alone.
Love eats from the inside out,
taking its time to inhibit what would otherwise heal.

I’ll walk alone, never look back.
I’ll sing loudly, scream and shout.
I’ll die for you, your touch, your words.
I’ll die for you, the chance to be eaten alive,
even if it means I’ll die alone,
even if it means I’ll never heal.

Love will eat me alive.

August 28- The Weekly Geography of My Life

The Mountain: What a long week this has been! The new school year is in full blast and it feels as if I am already struggling to stay afloat. The highlight of this week was seeing several of my former students stop by before heading off or going back to college. Candaice, Krystal, Maryann, Tiffany, Elizabeth, Mitchell, and Imari all made my week a little better! One of the greatest rewards of being a teacher is seeing your former students well-prepared for college.

The Valley:
Atlanta has had some sporadic weather this week. Wednesday-Sunday- Each day bore witness to some blisteringly hot days that burst forth with torrential downpours. And to think Oklahoma Republican Senator James Inhofe says global warming is a hoax.

This week:I am reading: American Pastoral by Philip Roth
An American classic!
I am listening to: Cartel’s self-title new album!I am watching: Yeah, still Top Chef (Go Hung- especially since Tre’s gone!)I am ready for next week because: It’s a four day work week and I need a nap… a really long one!

Back in the day when I was young, I'm not a kid anymore...

17 August 2007- The Weekly Geography of my Life

August 17- The Weekly Geography of My Life
The Mountain- With two weeks well into the school year, I am finally able to steal some time to myself and do what I love the most- write. It’s sad that I don’t force more time for my own personal intellectual pursuits. This academic year, my personal goal is to make more personal time. The highlight of this week has been my essay writing, or perhaps essay grading, productivity. I have evaluated a grand total of 322 student essays in the past two weeks. I know it seems insane, but this year I have actually used my planning period and early morning arrivals to work to grade essays. This year my policy is to return all student writing within 48 hours. Thus far, it has been 24 hours on each piece of writing. It is my sincere belief that students need in-depth, extensive feedback on their writing in order to truly improve and that students only truly heed writing feedback when it is timely and when they are forced to evaluate the writing and how it has been assessed.

The Valley- Alas, morale at my school seems low. Many of my colleagues are in a funk and it seems hard to get people excited about a new year. The air is out in most of the building (yes, I know, it’s one hundred degrees out) and we are under new leadership. My morale is high because I have some really great kids, but I feel for my peers.

This week:
I am reading: The Nubian Prince by Juan Bonilla
The novel is solid so far. I am not knocked off my feet, but the novel is a translation. I am sure it is probably better in its native tongue. About a man who works recruiting escorts for the world’s most expensive escort service, the protagonist, Moises Froissard thinks he is saving lives. The novel explores some complex inner conflicts and the true results of many good intentions.
I am listening to: Common’s Finding Forever
I am watching: Top Chef (Go Hung!)

I am ready for next week because: I am ready for some football! Our high school’s first game is against our biggest county rivals, Dutchtown, and the energy is always high for the first game.

Michael Vick is in the Doghouse!

Michael Vick said he is not guilty of competitive dog fighting and other federal violations associated with the dog kennel, Bad Newzz Kennels located on his property in Surry County, Virginia.

I, for one, say let the man have his day in court.

The topic of Michael Vick’s alleged wrong-doing has been plastered all over the news and almost everyone I know, Falcon’s fan or not, has an opinion concerning Vick’s guilt. Few people have approached the issue from the perspective that it is the court’s job to decide Vick’s guilt, not the media.

Atlanta sport fans are notoriously fickle and that is evidenced in our view and treatment of Michael Vick. The name Michael Vick is a part of brand Atlanta, but that does not mean the man Michael Vick is a product we can sale, make a profit from, and then discard. Without Michael Vick, the Atlanta Falcons would have had no super star and no majorly-endorsed Athlete.
If Michael Vick is truly guilty of competitive dog fighting, he deserves the penalty for his wrongdoing. He should make amends with his fans by financially supporting the animal rights movements and he should publicly apologize, but I do not think we, his once fans and supporters, should be so quick to dismiss his ability or his contributions to the Falcons. Atlanta needs Michael Vick more than Michael Vick needs Atlanta.

Zack Kirk Presents: The (Weekly) Geography of My Life

The Mountain (Highlight of the Week): This week was spent in College Board training for experienced teachers of AP Language and Composition. The training was not very relevant, but I did meet some wonderful people. This is especially true of Beth Knappenberger (North Carolina) and Janis Little (Tennessee). The highlight of my week was meeting these wonderful teachers and sharing in the teaching and learning experience with them.

The Valley (Lowpoint of the week): On Thursday, after training, I drove to my school and met with my principal about a Homecoming Dance. At my school, we have never had a homecoming dance and it looks like we won’t have one this year either. Citing bumping and grinding and mosh-piting as reason for declining my request as senior sponsor, I did all I could to make him realize that high school is about more than just academics. My pleas, however, were to no avail. Homecoming Dance 2008 ain’t happening this year!

This week:
I am reading: On Chisel Beach by Ian McEwen
I am listening to: Amerie’s Take Control
I am watching: The New Adventures of Old Christine
I recently discovered The New Adventures of Old Christine which stars Julia Louis Dreyfous and Wanda Sykes. If you have not checked out the show, do so on Monday. It is hilarious.

I am ready for next week because: I am going to see the play adaptation of Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye which will debut in conjunction with the National Black Arts Festival. Every year the NBAF is a highlight in the city, but it is not every year I have money to enjoy the festivities. Teaching summer school definately has its monetary rewards.

The Politics of Fear Strike Again!

Once again, the United States is under the threat of a terror alert. According to recently reported news, United States officials are concerned about terror training cells in Pakistan. Odd that this new threat would suddenly find its way into the news with President Bush’s approval rating so low and the Republican party struggling to hold on to its base.

Too often, in the past, the Republican Party has used the politics of fear to win elections.

The citizens of the United States, I genuinely hope, are too savvy in 2007 to fall for the same ploy twice.

President Bush’s approval with the American people is low with good reason. As reported by Susan Page in last Monday’s USA Today, no modern president in history has left so much unfinished business for his successor. The war in Iraqi is not going away anytime soon, and most Americans are more than aware of how much we have invested in Iraq. While many of us accept that as the burden Bush has placed on our backs, many of us are unaware of the domestic issues our nation will deal with. Medicare, tax-cuts, the rising deficits, and America’s role in an increasingly competitive Global economy are also issues Bush’s successor will have to address.
A republican president and the republican party’s blind faith in this president created this situation. Hopefully, this is something America has come to realize and will not forget.