The Little Girl Who Could

I was only nine years old when I first met you, with brown hair and big brown eyes. I was the smallest and quietest girl in your class Sitting in the front row, always staring at the black board, As if it had hidden answers for the questions you asked. You always said “You never fail until you fail to try.” And I don’t know how many times I’ve lived that one down. I remember you reading a story about a young boy, Who had a dream of buying the two finest hunting dogs. In time he earned enough money and bought those dogs. Living out his dream of being a hunter. Like that little boy I had a dream of being a poet. Writing poems that people would like and want to read out loud. The fun part about your class was writing poems about anything and everyone. I never liked to write but I soon found out that writing was my passion. And maybe someday I’ll have my poems published so every one can read them. But it was you, who encouraged me to write more in class, Giving us papers to write almost everyday. When it came time for me to move to fifth grade I begged my mom to put me back into your class for another year. So I could hear you read poems about other people especially me. Who knew that some day that little quiet girl, who sat in the front row, would be a semi finalist in a nationwide poetry contest and have you to thank. I hope that former students of your class come to visit every day like I do, and tell you what a wonderful impact you have made on their lives. Telling you that they took your advice and listened when you said, “You never fail until you fail to try.” Thank you for the little bit of encouragement you gave me and for reading your poems out loud.