A slight rise in the earth,
a gentle place near the school’s entrance,
marks the spot we

teachers

gather on this most joyful day,
the raggedy remnant of the school year,
to wave good-bye

(God Be With Ye)
(We Did What We Could)

to our charges, their heads
stuffed with us,

Colts to pasture, now set free, to cavort and buck as they please.

And we, stern taskmasters all, discover
our smiles once more, and cast off our titles, Mr. or Ms.,

to become again,

Barb, Phil, Dale, Terri, Mik, Rin, Carolyn,Doug, Dawn,Mike, Arlys, and Joan.

Amid the deafening roar of honking buses
pulling away, young faces appear tight to the windows,
frantic waves, smiles, tears, and the occasional

bold middle finger.