pictured words

a simple pairing of pictures and poetry

Tag: Volunteer

Things I Can Do For Me

Photo by Zuzanna Hoffmann on Pexels.com

Things I Can Do for Me

Teach ESL to awe-inspiring refugee and immigrant women
Hold memories close
Invest in others
Notice loveliness around me
Granddaughter time!
Spend time with those I love

Intercessory prayer

Compose well-written poems and poorly written poems
Appreciate all I can do … and all I can’t, but others can
Nod and smile to you, whoever you are

Delight in little things
Offer God my humble thanksgiving

Frame my day with time with Jesus
Open windows to smell spring’s viburnum and lilac
Roll with it

Music (listen myself, and sing when nobody listens)
ESL volunteer teacher time bookends this acrostic

not the end

© Marie Elena Good 2026

Resumé of a Ten-Year-Old Who Wants to Volunteer at a School for Refugee Women and Children

Photo and hair by Nina Bass Blatnik

She spent the entire afternoon asking me relevant, insightful questions about the school’s students, staff, and mission. How do you teach babies and preschoolers a second language? What countries do they come from?  What languages are spoken? Which is the most common?  (She made note of Arabic, and couldn’t wait to ask her mom if she can begin studying it via Rosetta Stone or Duolingo).  Would I please contact the volunteer coordinator to see if it is acceptable for a ten-year-old to volunteer to help the adults care for the children? Are masks required? Is there a dress code?  Is there a form her parents could complete and sign, giving her permission to volunteer there?  Even if they can’t let her volunteer yet, can she take a tour of the school, and meet the staff?  Oh, and would I please tell them she is mature for her age?

Eager native sprout
seeks to share energy to
root and bloom transplants
.

© Marie Elena Good, 2021