The Chicago Afterschool Development Working Group, under the leadership of David Cherry and Julie Lenner, is a grassroots group of afterschool, education, civic, and nonprofit leaders and practitioners working together to strengthen the voice of impact of afterschool development in Chicago (www.allstars.org). Their work inspired this poem.
I Watch In Awe As Children Play I watch in awe as children play; To see them run beneath the sun. Laugh at the crazy things they say; Life is carefree and full of fun. Creative minds that will amaze, In formal games or make believe; Resourceful in so many ways They achieve what they can conceive. How simply they can make a toy From articles within their reach; Amuse each child as they enjoy, Lessons that teach and shape their speech. Some fix objects that are broken, For they have the proclivity To solve problems, be outspoken In their childlike activity. I watch in awe as children play; Especially as they excel; Imagination on display With stories used to show and tell. They don’t see walls they cannot scale Or the boundaries of a box. They do not think that they can fail, For they are keys in search of locks. And boundaries don’t need the lines, For they will color as they see The picture they want to define, Is the masterpiece it will be. Quietly they engage in thought; To solve puzzles and figure out The answers that were never taught; While never focusing on doubt. I watch in awe as children play, The purity of inquiry; The innocence that they convey; To move with boundless energy. Their cognitive development; The social skills that are increased; In their natural element Where intuition is released. They will play it forward if we, Allow them the chance to explore The land beyond the boundary That will refresh and teach them more. As they sit alone or in a group, Playful adventures never cease. They will jump ropes not jump through hoops; Exertion is what gives them peace. I watch in awe as children play, One continuous exercise; We try to regulate their day, With structure, but they improvise. Intuitive they get things done, For they are focused on results, That’s measure by the kind of fun, That could teach something to adults. Copyright © 2016 Orlando Ceaser www.watchwellinc.com
I Need to Step Away
I need to step away from the anger,
The bitterness and a state of outrage;
For it is placing my soul in danger,
And causing my spirit to disengage.
Constant news coverage and the debates,
On cause and effect and bending the curve;
Isolate, but if we can’t congregate;
We are afraid we will lose our nerve.
We’re adjusting and changing each routine,
As shelter in place begins to try us.
Keeping a safe distance to intervene;
To mitigate the threat of the virus.
I want to escape into a fortress;
Though solace is only tentative.
I must decompress and reduce the stress,
And act in a manner that more will live.
I need to step away and leave behind
The carnage and the fear in my head;
Embrace my faith for it gives peace of mind,
From the images and my sense of dread.
Lifesaving procedures like washing hands,
As we are focused and adept today.
I must keep my distance and understand,
As I pray and obey shelter and stay,
Is this a reset or a correction,
To show what we can or cannot control;
Will we establish a new direction,
Committing each life to a greater goal?
When this pandemic is overturned,
Remember the good that we are seeing.
We will emerge with many lessons learned;
On how to be better human beings.
I know I must step away from the ledge,
For it seems that I’m walking a tightrope;
To renew my strength for I made a pledge,
To lead with optimism, grace, and hope.
Copyright © 2020 Orlando Ceaser
Watchwellinc.com
More motivational, inspirational and leadership resources at watchwellinc.com and OrlandoCeaser.com. 
Bless Somebody
Address somebody with a smile and nod
They may not know that you were sent by God,
To give them sunshine on a cloudy day,
To be the joy promised to come their way.
To bless somebody is why you are here,
To add the fragrance to their atmosphere;
Unless somebody has a heart of stone,
They will be grateful for the kindness shown.
Bless somebody and you bless your maker.
You are a giver and not a taker,
Confess to somebody and seize your role,
To elevate others to warm your soul.
Assess somebody, determine their need.
Ask them lovingly how you should proceed.
Distress can place a person in despair.
You should be there to let them know you care.
Say yes to somebody when they extend
Their hand to you so they could be your friend.
Impress somebody with an open heart,
Bless somebody for to love is an art.
Address somebody with a smile and nod.
They may not know that you were sent by God,
To give them sunshine on a cloudy day,
To be the joy that is coming their way.
Copyright © 2020 Orlando Ceaser
Web-site: OrlandoCeaser.com
Email:orlando.ceaser@watchwellinc.co
Leadership for the Soul 