Last lesson

LAST LESSON

I take a last long look round room 209.

The broken blinds hang like loose sails, letting the brightness in,

The windows are shut now, the air hot and stuffy.

My students, adorable as ever, have tidied away

The plastic cups, empty bottles, sweet and biscuit wrappers

And lingeringly, reluctantly, gone to their next lesson,

Leaving me alone.

I read again their lovely, loving messages,

Their drawings, green and black,

And wish I could take them with me.

Photos will have to do; I can’t let them go.

Then as I wipe them off the board

I feel I am erasing more than just ink

And the emotions I have kept in check

Surge up and spill briefly down my cheeks

As I lock the door on what is now the past.

Written 11 June 2013