(Mrs. Adams’ Last Day at School)
The last summer comes quickly and it’s one day away
The halls are all empty, no more laughter and play
As you close out your grade book and turn in your keys
Emotions they mingle with fond memories…
For thirty-five years you planned and you dreamed,
each day filled with lessons, directions, and themes.
Cut patterned borders and colorful frames
once hung on the walls with operations and names.
The dry erase board is faded and grey
well-worn through instruction, repetition, refrain.
Your once-cluttered desktop sparkles and shines
The empty room echoes with what’s left behind.
Paper and pencils, rulers, stencils, and graphs;
addition, subtraction, the basics of math.
The songs that delighted, the stories you told
the problems you solved being brave and so bold.
The joy that you shared was infectious it’s true,
making us laugh whether frazzled or blue.
Now that the luncheons are finished
And your knick-knacks are all tucked away.
Your paperwork’s signed, no goodbyes left to say
As you look over your classroom to remember this day.
A tear drop, a smile as you silently pray,
and briefly you’ll wonder if only I’d stayed…
but stop and remember…
You’ve done all your best and what a difference you’ve made.
by D. Ryan Lafferty
Literary Crumbs: Poems & Short Stories to Savor by D. Ryan Lafferty 