Real life – Danielle Koch

A unicorn

I dreamed that I could have a unicorn. She, this particular unicorn, would be pregnant and soon I’d have the start of a glory. (Glory being a heard of unicorns.) So, to that, in my own way, I could bring magic back to the world. Now, I don’t want to own a unicorn because whoContinueContinue reading “A unicorn”

With you

With youat the edge,toes in the water,hands clasped.The sun passes behindthe clouds.I nuzzle you. Flowers on my walk This is before.Before my mouth hasknown yours.Before we held each othernaked in my lavender sheets. The wind picks upAnd I slide my feet betweenyours.I don’t feel cold in yourarms.You lean in andthis won’t be thelast time ourContinueContinue reading “With you”

A thank you note

I’m writing a thank you note to myself. I’ve been through a lot this year. So saying, “Thank You!” feels like an uplifting thing to do. Dearest Danielle, Prioritizing yourself has been your mission. Self-care has certianly kicked your butt. I never knew how hard it was to actually care for a human being, especiallyContinueContinue reading “A thank you note”

It’s nearly fall.

It’s nearly fall. The maple leaves are turning pink. They’re brightening into a red that cuts the sky, like striking a match. The flame of fall. The patterned quilt of leaves tuck in the valley. Making ready for winter. The chill caresses your neck and cheeks, tugs on your scarf. The simmering sun has brokenContinueContinue reading “It’s nearly fall.”

To teach or not to teach

That is the question. I’m a licensed ELA teacher, working in the upper Midwest. (That’s the closest-location-wise that I’m going to give out to the blog-o-sphere. Sorry, not here to spoil personal secrets with y’all.) I’ve worked primarily with middle school aged students and at charter schools. I’ve worked in district schools. I’ve worked abroad.ContinueContinue reading “To teach or not to teach”