Heart and Soul

 

I spent last night with my composition book flipping through the pages,

Trying to find the right piece that I thought would engage us.

But, I quickly determined that none of them really spoke to my heart.

Nor gave the words to you that I wished to impart.

I don’t want to get ahead of myself, so let me start from the beginning:

There once was this awkward little girl that wanted nothing but to fit in

But try as she may she was never cool enough or strong enough or pretty enough

To say the least a lot of her younger years were really rough.

And, unlike the fairy tales of yore, this ugly little duckling never blossomed into a swan,

But rather she struggled as the years passed on.

She didn’t really have any friends that she could turn to,

So she looked to her teachers when she felt blue.

But none of them took the time to know who she was or to really listen and hear her pain

They’d laugh when she’d ask for help and send her away time and time again.

But, she wanted to be better than those that never spared her a second glance

So she went to school and became a teacher believing everyone has a chance.

So now that girl is the teacher that stands before you today

Hoping that you listen to the words she wants to say.

You make me not only want to be a better teacher 

But also a better person for each one here.

Four years ago, you walked into my classroom young and full of possibilities

And, I was so grateful for the many opportunities

That you gave me to talk and to laugh

About books and school and life, knowing all the while we were off task.

And, now here we are once again, a second chance to be better than before

Whether I’ve fulfilled that role, I’m not really sure.

Because I know I have my flaws, of course I do

I can name them, and I’m sure you could, too.

But above all you gave me all that I could ever want

A chance for that duckling to finally feel like a swan

So, what I’d really like for you to  know

Is that from day one captured my heart and soul.

My world was changed for the better the minute you walked through my door

Thank you, to each of you, for touching my heart like never before.

Rachael Collins