Adjunct Professor

New semester.
Did my courses run?
Oh yeah, but too many. 
Work on my syllabi.
I promise I won’t cry.

The night before class.
I pace the kitchen.
Sending prayers up.
Are you listening;
Please make my students be nice.
Calling my friends for advice.

First day of class.
Please impress them.
Some activity.
Get to know them.
At night memorize their names.
Two students named the same. (Always)

Long semesters.
Trudge across campuses.
In the rain and snow.
Am I at the right school-do you know?
My Google Assistant gave up long ago.


End of semester.
All my students cry.
I break my promise.
I let them see me cry.
We will be friends for a long time.

New semester.
Did my courses run? …
Copyright © | Year Posted 2020

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Campanella Avatar
January 22, 2021 at 2:20 PM
Terri - Caren said it best - wonderful write - I enjoyed this best - " End of semester. All my students cry. I break my promise. I let them see me cry. We will be friends for a long time." Good Luck with all your Poetry Work! Perry C.
Krutsinger Avatar
July 29, 2020 at 10:06 AM
Ah, so wonderfully penned, Terri. You have explained loving your students incredibly well.
Rodrigues Avatar
January 18, 2020 at 9:34 AM
Lovely sentiments! Your heart for the kids visible to all!
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