(On Teachers’ Day, September 5, 2019)

Long years after you are gone,

You sit in my soul like Socrates—

Lending truth to the words I speak

In times of the darkest, distressing unease.

 

I see you scoff at chicaneries,

And pronounce that withering word

That lances through the crassest subterfuge,

And whips like a lightning rod.

 

Dear Teacher, the only one I had,

You had patches on your pants,

But what relentless brain in your skull

That spared no ignorant rants.

 

Abide by me till my time

Comes to a helpless halt;

Let not debasement of my mind

Be counted among my fault.

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