teacher

in the stores,
the smells of
newly boxed
crayons and
Elmer's glue
beckon-
a new school year
begins

the kids as yet
unknown to me
say my name
while I sleep
and we wonder
about the other

for me it's always
love
at first sight
as I watch them
tiptoe into
carefully planned
lessons and
walk confidently
out

they teach me
more than I
could ever teach
them
yet they call
me
teacher

and when the year
closes,
I send them off,
hoping I've done
my part
and missing them
before they're
out of sight.