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The Teacher Who Left Me In 2nd Grade

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This poem is written in honor of Dr. Pat Smyser, my 2nd grade teacher, who left us when she got married over Christmas, and never came back. I met her 37 years later and she said "I know who you are. You are a Stone Twin from Chariton, Iowa." She did not know which one, which was not surprising as she only had us in her class for a semester. I remembered her also, as we had loved her very much, and always expected her to come back.

Her fluorescent personality shone through like a beacon to us. We all wanted to be close to her, her friend, her everything. She was our star, and we followed her around like puppies. No one made us feel any more listened to, or respected. Her love for us was all-encompassing, she was our light. When she left us to uplift others, we were devastated, Thinking she had belonged to us, pondering the why of it, Not realizing it was time for her to niche out her own life. We felt abandoned, betrayed, bereft. I remember how angry I was. She was our beloved second grade teacher and we were in love. Worst of all, her replacement was snippy, snappish, mean, harsh and super cruel. This made her ever more beloved; we waited the rest of the year for her to return, Not believing until the last day of May that she was truly gone. Written 10-03-2018 Contest: Any New Free Verse Sponsor: Lu Loo

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Gregory Richard Barden

Date: 11/5/2018 12:39:00 AM

Sincere congratulations for your awesome win in LuLoo's contest, Caren - blessings and best wishes - keep up the great work, my friend! :-) <3

Caren Krutsinger
Date: 11/5/2018 7:09:00 AM

Thank you Gregory. I shall continue to throw poems out as long as my interest holds. As soon as it is over, it is over. That is what obsessive compulsive people do.

Line Gauthier

Date: 10/28/2018 5:53:00 PM

Aww - what a heart wrenching loss to a youngster... feeling betrayed and bereft. Congrats on your top win, Caren.

Caren Krutsinger
Date: 10/28/2018 10:03:00 PM

Thank you Line. I appreciate your appreciation.

Lu Loo

Date: 10/28/2018 11:52:00 AM

I loved my 2nd grade teacher too. Now we are friends on facebook and it's crazy to see how time flies and how we met up so far into the future. I couldn't believe she remembered me. Wonderful poem from a wonderful poetess sweet Caren. Thank you and congratulations on your placement. -luloo :)

Caren Krutsinger
Date: 10/28/2018 3:13:00 PM

Thank you Lu Loo. I like Facebook a bunch; it has gotten me back in touch with my childhood friends.

M. L. Kiser

Date: 10/4/2018 7:28:00 AM

It's always so devastating when a favored, good teacher leaves and gets replaced with some short-tempered, child-hating nut. She was obviously a wonderful person. A few years ago, I was teaching a drawing class in adult ed. and my 3rd grade teacher was one of my students; it was so good seeing her again and she remembered me, as well. Love this one, too.

Caren Krutsinger
Date: 10/4/2018 9:03:00 AM

Is this not delightful? What a great idea for a POEM M.L. I will be looking for this one.

Lindsay Laurie

Date: 10/4/2018 2:20:00 AM

G'day Caren … there are people who come into our lives that we never forget, and your verse reminds me of that - thank you Caren - Lindsay

Caren Krutsinger
Date: 10/4/2018 5:47:00 AM

Yes, most of my teachers I have never forgotten. There were only two bland ones. The other ones I either completely despised or fell in love with.

Rhona Mcferran

Date: 10/3/2018 4:02:00 PM

"Thinking she had belonged to us"- is such a perfect description for the devotion such teachers inspire! I can imagine that the kids you counsel now feel the same way about you! ;)

Caren Krutsinger
Date: 10/4/2018 5:48:00 AM

Some of them have figured how to get to me on a daily basis. We write songs, and record music, and howl like wolves, and play games, and pretend we are not doing anything fun in my room, to no avail when the loud laughter starts.

Ilene Bauer

Date: 10/3/2018 12:28:00 PM

wow! you've captured this memory so beautifully, caren! i loved reading this and would also be amazed that someone could recognize me so many years later...

Caren Krutsinger
Date: 10/3/2018 1:54:00 PM

I was SHOCKED. My best friend, a principal, turned to introduce us. She said "have you met Dr. Pat Smyser?" and I thought I remembered the name, but then....

Line Gauthier

Date: 10/3/2018 9:31:00 AM

Wow - that is so beautifully emotional. Superbly done, Caren.

Caren Krutsinger
Date: 10/3/2018 11:15:00 AM

Thank you Line. I remember how shocked I was when she recognize me at age 44 or so, wondering if I had looked 44 when I was 7?