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The Chalk Beneath My Fingernails

-The Chalk Beneath My Fingernails- I walk a path where roads dissolve, Where rivers rise and hopes revolve, Through jungle mist and dusty lanes, With every step, I carry names— Of children born with hollow bowls, But eyes that shine like tempered coals. The schoolhouse leans against the sky, Its roof a patchwork, spirits high. The walls may crack, the floor may creak, But voices echo when they speak. They spell their dreams in broken chalk, Each word a promise we dare to talk. My salary is thin as thread, But rich the stories in my head. No polished floors, no polished shoes, But lessons written in muddy hues. Each tear I wipe, each hand I hold, Is worth more than a crown of gold. At times, I ache—I won’t pretend, To see no doctor when fevers bend, To watch a child with fevered skin Miss class again, then drop within. But still I come, still I stay, Planting stars along their way. Their questions come like summer rain, Pure, untrained, and free of shame. "Why do the rich live high above?" "Can books be filled with real love?" And I—just one with weary frame— Hold back my tears, and praise their flame. No cameras roll, no praises sung, No headlines catch what's just begun. But every word they learn to write Pushes back a wall of night. And if I vanish without trace, I leave a fire in this place.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2025




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Date: 6/20/2025 10:49:00 AM
A beautiful, moving and deeply compassionate poem, honoring the quiet heroism of teachers. The imagery is vivid and heartfelt—from “broken chalk” to “hollow bowls”—each line paints both struggle and resilience with grace. The speaker’s honesty, weariness, and unwavering dedication make the message all the more powerful. It’s a tribute to selfless service, to the transformative power of education, and to the quiet victories that often go unseen. It resonates with purpose and hope.
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Herath Avatar
Susantha Herath
Date: 6/20/2025 8:59:00 PM
Thank you so much for your kind words. Your response means a great deal to me. I'm grateful that the poem's quiet emotions and imagery resonated with you. Teachers often carry their burdens silently, and I hoped to honor that quiet resilience. Knowing that it spoke to you with such clarity and compassion is one of the most meaningful rewards a writer could hope for. Thank you again for seeing and feeling the heart behind the words.

Book: Reflection on the Important Things