Teacher's Anniversary

Our fifteenth year, you and I If we were married, the ‘crystal’ mile And oh, we have had our highs, breaking up lunchtime fights Breaking down novels line by line Translating Shakespeare to Spanish for those nonverbal in this language Dulcet quatrains melted into rounded syllables, thick on my tongue Still we manage to tease out delicate images And the consolation of a paycheck educators receive Not enough to ease the mirage of beach Allure of waves and palm trees In rude January (the ultimate schoolyard bully) You and I have chaperoned this prom, attended this play Coached this race, given chase to elusive grades Counted victories in syllables Pivoted around yawning youths, heads down or kids attempting to find favor with last minute Starbucks gifts And still we sit in sweet September Whole and hopeful, rested, restored Once again to go around this playground called high school 2/1/19