Two Teams, Two Divisions, Two problems, One day
It’s that time of year again – Odyssey of the Mind Regionals. This year Sarah and Michael are on different teams and Lisa is coaching both! The crunch to the deadline is twice as frantic. In celebration I was motivated to take a few minutes to reflect on the relative peace that has descended on this competition eve.
Here is my poem to honor all the hard working teams and their incredible coaches:
Twas the night before regionals and all through our home
Not a creature was stirring from cellar to dome.
The sets were all folded and ready to pack,
Plus a few rolls of duct tape nearby in a sack.
The team mates were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of Omers danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Were hunting for the elusive competition site map.
To move through our house was unequivocally tough,
As we hunted and searched through piles of stuff.
Every surface was covered no matter the place,
Like chairs and counters and a telephone base.
Digging through cardboard, confetti and clips,
Drop cloths, rubber bands, and updated scripts.
Hot glue guns and scissors were in all the rooms,
The left over vestiges of handmade costumes.
I paused for a moment as I thought I might faint,
Overwhelmed by the smell of markers and paint.
More papers I found that did not end my quest,
Forms for style, and materials and all of the rest.
Searching was slow through spaces so cluttered,
One thought of fire and I vehemently shuttered.
Pipe cleaners, Oreo packages, cellophane squares,
Styrofoam pellets and matted dog hairs.
A quick look toward the overwhelmed coach,
Told me I’d better find an altered approach.
A narrow path led to the end of my plight,
Where else but the NYSOMA Region 7 website?
A downloaded map and a very great yawn,
Allowed me to sleep before the oncoming dawn.
In just a few hours we’ll be on the run,
So good luck to all teams, try hard and have fun!
Tags: creativity, Family, Odyssey of the Mind, OotM, poem