On her way
When a teacher dies
a child loses a smile
When a butterfly rides
the high winds
little words scatter
all over the skies
COVID-19—dreadful number
makes little birds shudder
They’ll be back in spring no matter
cause life is thicker than fever
Oxygen is the matter
abandoned lungs
big coward
Thought it was a friend
after all the play together
turns out to be
a dreadful faux ami
Say fever is a signal
above 104—stay home
emergency filled to rim
Don’t want to look
at your sad eyes
and say
Sorry sister
this might be your
day
Kiss your husband
and your children
virus nasty
might grab you
by the throat
Who knows when
will kick you
in the shins
watch you fall
and then
it’s over.
Virus don’t know
or perhaps couldn’t care
if you love your
classroom
more than your home
Kids say they love you
kisses and hugs
they miss you
Could life be so
cruel
and take you
away
At age 32
when your heart
still sings
just like when
you were a baby
Mama’s not
too far away
still hear her
read
Hush my baby
good night
Moon
or Star
That’s
what you
are
Can God
or virus
kill
a teacher
when
she’s just begun?
The right way
wore a mask
even two
like they say
Broke her heart
but kept
six even
seven
feet away
But COVID
who gave that
thing
such an icky name
That’s what
the teacher
asked
not the kids
She knew better
than talk
don’t spread
that word
too nasty
It’s worst
than lead
running green
and filthy
in the school
corridors
under
the radiators
Teacher’s coughing
bad sign
of the times
but
they’re
changing
hope for the best
Kids without
teacher
is life
and a
monster
May she rest
in peace
we’ll miss her
Vaccines
arriving
but a tad
too late
Good night
Moon
good night
Star
Heaven’s
a big
school
Better take
your books
with you
when
you get
to heaven
there’s still
lots to do