Teachers never stop 🛑
They start the career.
And retire from a lifestyle ⌛️
They may pack up their classroom. 📦
But books and gifts aren’t all that she’s got. 🕯
She has a hurricane of memories
Held up in her hair
By a pointed pencil. ✏️
Her pockets are full
Of dropped scraps and
Thoughtful delights. 🍬
She’s been independent.
She’s been part of a team.
She’s been tied up with commitment.
She’s been adrift and free.
She’s found comfort and community
She’s found politics and begged for understanding 🎭
She’s been brave
She’s been scared
She’s held back tears when a student shed theirs.
When she leaves the system
She simply can’t believe
That:
She won’t have to wait to pee
She won’t have a last minute meeting
Or have a brand new responsibility.
No.
She’ll be free.
She’ll shop in the same stores
You still won’t recognize her.
Simply because you never did.
She’ll be at your graduation 🎓
In the back as a guest.
When before she was front and center,
One of the very best.
👥👥👥👥👥👥👥👥👥👥👥👥
Teachers never stop caring,
worrying,
and making certain
that her students
move along
safe and strong.
But what she will never
fully realize
is that
her wisdom and her impact
will forever
continue
on. 🎗