watching

Often brand new threes and not-yet-threes seem hesitant to get into the mix of the busy preschool experience.  I know how they feel... this year I'm the new kid on the block, getting to know my new school, new colleagues, new kids and families.  It takes time to get into a new routine, and sometimes you just have to watch for a while until it starts to feel familiar. 

watching

at the window
i am new
to this place
and these people

some of them seem to dive right in
how do they already know who they are, and where they want to be?
i will watch for a while,
gathering information,
storing it all away for future use.

there are friendly faces,
busy bodies,
loud, LOUD voices!
sometimes it's hard enough work
just to be there,

watching.

watching

everybody together over there...
they're all bigger than me
i'm over here, busy
but i'm listening... i turn
when i hear something interesting... i look
when they shout and laugh

i will watch the big kids at their play
then do some of my own,
and before you know it
i'll jump in with them.
i'll tell them my ideas
and they will say, "yes!  let's play that."

but i don't know who they are yet
or how they will respond
i'll find out soon enough,
but for now i'll keep on

watching