MichelleWooten

FEATHERS

softly float to earth
gentle memory of flight
a whisper of time

distant glowing
in an instant white turns brown
high noon summer

fading summer song
crickets cannot sing this night
hiding from heat

soft white blanket
warming tender green sprouts
winter's finest gift

wary innocence
peeks out from naked trees
a breeze it runs gone

__________

Born on July 26, 1961, I grew up traveling with my family until I was 7
years old, when my parents decided to "settle" in Tulsa, OK. I am the oldest of
4 children, my dad is an entertainer/singer, my mom, a teacher. It is from
my mom that I developed my love of words, from my father that I developed some
lyrical sense, and from my siblings that I learned to be heard through
writing.

I went to high school in Tulsa, OK, and graduated from Bishop Kelley High
School; went to Trinity University in San Antonio, TX and received my Bachelor
Degree in Elementary and Special Education. I later received my Master's
Degree in Special Education, Behavior Disorders, from the University of Kansas,
Edwards Campus. I was a teacher of children with behavior disorders for 16
years. I currently teach mathematics at the middle and high school level in
an alternative disciplinary campus in Houston, Texas.

I began writing poetry when I was 13 years old, and have always written as a
way to express hopes and dreams, fears and frustrations, loves and hates,
sadness and tears, and wonder at the world in which I live. Four years ago I
discovered on-line poetry groups and have been writing improvisationally in
these venues. I also discovered a love for the Spanish language, and began
writing poetry in Spanish as well.

Married and divorced, I live with my two daughters, Rochelle (18), and Abbe
(7), our dog Ellie May, and our cat Lucy. I play flute in a community
symphonic band at a local junior college. I love to read, travel, learn, and write
... above all, write!