“Lifting the Fog” (a special spotlight)

On By Michele LeeIn Inspirational People, Verse
Lifting the Fog
by Charles Schilling

Here I am.
          Here I lie.
          Here I stay,
          And here I’ll die
          Here I dwell
          Here I hold;
          Here I live
          Or so I am told.
          Here I think.
          Here I’ll call.
          Here I’ll stand,
          And here I’ll fall.
          Here in the quiet
          I can think.
          In this small quiet
          Right before the brink.
          Here is the silence
          Of whom is my friend,
          Yet no regards
          Were sent in the end.
          In this silence and fog
          Forever shall I lie.
          Here in this silence
          Shall I finally die.
          So, here I sit
          Upon my twisted throne,
          Where nothing else lies
          But I alone.
          So, here I remain
          So deep in thought.
          Here I stay,
          Where finality is sought.
          And to you who know
          How great was my desire,
          To lie in exile,
          To lose my fire;
          To mellow out,
          Dull my ire,
          To you I say
          A job well done.
          I have hidden away,
          And you have won.
          I am not gone,
          Simply given up.
          Watching and watching
          You drink from your cup.
          Building my clarity,
          Page by page.
          Seeking redemption.
          Burying my rage.
          Long gone are the books.
          Changed is the fire.
          Cold are the embers,
          And gone is the pyre.
          I no longer hear,
          I no longer see,
          But in the end I know
          That my demon was me.
          And I fought all day,
          And I fought all night,
          To try and come back
          And win that fight.
          But try what I may,
          But try what I might,
          I knew it would end
          And extinguish my light.
          But I don’t need a light
          To find my way,
          And I don’t need a fire
          To give a new day.
          I don’t look for fire,
          And I don’t look for glee.
          I will take back my eyes
          So I can begin to see
          Without your haunting
          Of

                              my

                                                  Memory.

I am delighted to spotlight a poet who happens to be a former student of mine. I had the privilege of teaching Charles during his high school years. He is a gracious and brilliant young man. I am certain I learned more from him than he ever did from me. Being the kind and humble person he is, I am sure he would disagree. I taught senior English and dual enrollment. In that role, I had the privilege of choosing two students of English for recognition at the end-of-the-year award ceremony. I selected Charles as one of the outstanding students from his class. I was proud to nominate Charles and honored to write a speech about his accomplishments and standout performance in my honors class.

Poet Bio: Charles Schilling is an Undergraduate Student attending Arizona State University currently finishing degrees in History and English Literature. Though he remains yet unpublished, he has been writing poetry and stories prolifically for the last decade. His poetry covers thoughts and feelings ranging from day-to-day circumstances to deep questions of introspection often asked by the self. He plans on publishing his collected work in the near future and intends on becoming a teacher of History and English within Secondary Education.

My last classroom, where I met and taught Charles.

Thank you in advance for sharing your thoughts about the poet’s work. I know Charles will enjoy reading your feedback. He certainly read (tolerated) enough of mine! 😁 Charles selected the music: Claude Debussy’s, “Claire de Lune.” A beautiful score that complements the tone of his poem quite nicely. It was a treat collaborating with him. Thank you for visiting and reading. Be well. 💗 Michele

Featured Photo: by fran_kie

© 2022 Michele Lee Sefton

72 thoughts on ““Lifting the Fog” (a special spotlight)”

  2. Awww Michele, what a wonderful, soul-stirring poem and even more special that it is a poem by one of your former students. How divine! I applaud you for recognizing him on your platform. This is a clear example of what type of caring teacher you are and continue to be.

    Sending you much love my dancing queen of a teacher. 💃🏽🎵👯‍♂️💝💃🏼🎶 I appreciate how you continue to encourage and inspire your students and those of us who you touch in your online orbit. 🌎🪐🌍 Have a magical, FANtabulous day girlfriend. 🥰💖🤗🌺😍

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I am so grateful for your presence and your feedback, Kym. I am sure Charles will be too. He is a talented writer, in many ways. Thank you for your thoughtful words and for all the positivity you share with the world. 🙏🏻💖🤗

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      Reply

  3. This is a wonderful poem! I love how powerful it is and how smoothly it flows.
    It is always a delight to see kind and supportive teachers, such as yourself, bringing out the best in your students and rooting for them to be successful in life. This is such a wholesome post, Michele. 😊💕

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. I appreciate you taking the time to offer poetry feedback for Charles. Thank you for expressing your enthusiasm, support, and meaningful thoughts. 🙏🏻 I feel the same about your creative poems, poetess Aaysid. ✍🏼 I am honored by your words. 😊💖

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  8. Such an amazing poem written ‘lifting the Fog ‘ by your such a talented Student 👩‍🎓 🌷🙏
    Full of freedom and truth of life , beautiful 💐I’m so much enjoyed your lovely lines and grace
    wishes to your loving Student and Thank you for sharing 🌷🙏♥️😊🌷

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  11. What loveliness. The poem is stupendously brilliant. Precise. I adored it. This is a lovely collaboration indeedy. Thanks for sharing and all the best to this amazing young man who I know will go places— such talent. Very smart. And so handsome too. His kindness shows and that makes him soooo handsome to me. All the best, Charles.
    And to his teacher, kudos… xoxo

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Selma, your generous and thoughtful comments are most appreciated. Thank you for your kind heart and for recognizing the kindness in Charles. 😊 He will surely go places, yes! The best to you, too! Thank you for the beautiful poems you share with the world! ✨

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      Reply
  13. asumoftheparts

    Good luck to this brilliant, thoughtful young man. I felt the gloom and hopelessness expressed in much of the poem, then was happily surprised by the sudden hopeful turn the poem took. Makes me think that the life memories must have been hard and to put them behind and look toward the future offers hope to the poet. Very moving. I’ll buy his book when it comes out.

    >

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. It is a great honor to catch up with former students and learn about what they are up to and what their future goals are. This time of year is particularly meaningful, when I see photos of former students graduating from college. So, yes I am very proud of Charles. I know he will make a valuable impact in the teaching profession, or wherever life takes him. He is a remarkable human. 🌟 Thank you very much for being here and for sharing your encouraging thoughts!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  18. born dying
    not to ask why
    cradle to grave
    immortal soul to save
    new Jerusalem
    sacrosanct heaven
    where bread is unleaven
    chorus
    to highest God
    three in one
    ultimate mystery
    for all yet none to see

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    Reply

    1. Thank you, Dawn. Your comment makes me smile. I am grateful for my years in the classroom. Challenging years. Rewarding too. I am honored to have connections to some amazing young people. It is wonderful to watch them make their way in this (crazy) world. Thank you very much for supporting Charles with your kind words. 🙏🏻

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Thank you for reading and sharing that you are a teacher. How wonderful! It is a joy to watch their journey – made manageable with social media. The last few weeks have delivered many smiles, looking at college graduation photos online. Always a treat to see! Before you know it, your little ones will be grown-up ones! 😊 Thank you, teacher Anna. Best to you! 💐

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      2. My teaching looks different these days. I co-facilitate narrative therapy workshops (online) with author Sandra Marinella, author of The Story You Need to Tell. Writing with the purpose of bringing healing to participants, through their personal writing.

        Liked by 1 person

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