Gems

I complain repeatedly about teaching, about how I am in no way designed to teach kids.  Now that I am no longer teaching at college I wanted to remember all those wonderful young people that I had the privilege to meet along the way.  In particular, I wanted to thank the parents of such youngsters.  Believe me we all owe them a debt of gratitude, because of their actions the world is a brighter place.  So this poem is dedicated to all of you parents and the gems you have helped brighten the world with.  I wish they weren't so rare!

Gems

Some kids are like that

Sure eyed, full of love and life

Eyes register

Hearts absorb all

Minds weigh things carefully

Discard the dross and pack the good

I want to meet their parents

Thank them for this miracle

A sound head on a good heart

Well done, well done indeed

No one may ever tell you

But I see a job well done

Yearly, hourly every second reinforced

Never sure of the right path

But finding the best inside

Cultivating a soul worth meeting

Protecting a seed in difficult days

What a delight to discover that knowing eye

Who loves Attiticus and justice

Feels on all wavelength and yet

Laughs and helps with ease

They make life sweet for the rest of us

With their good humour and balance

Always ready to laugh, to live, to light the way

In class, I despair of hurtfulness

Twisted anger, bullying, mindless sameness

Fashion fatigue, surface preoccupation

Following sheep like, juice and drug escape

Then there they are, a delight to mind and heart

This sweet spring of goodness and hope

Among the weeds, unexpected, glowing

They light my day

Much thanks for these gems

You have mined well and fashioned facets to catch the light