Kindergarten Teacher

Kindergarten Teacher

Her face is alight in the playground sun
She is standing at the bottom of the slide
a chain of children curling down every inch
She laughs, reaching out
making sure each child survives
the twenty slipping, wriggling legs

Her eyes are serious
She is directing a line of children
some shuffle along looking at their feet
one marches head high, shoulders back
another studies the shape of the cloud overhead
They hurry and dawdle in a pattern of chaotic order

Her back is strong
She is bending over a short table
crayons scattered in red, and blue
and yellow—her favorite color
A small hand colors
wild hair blowing in the wind
It is my teacher,
my Kindergarten teacher

Her smile is young
She is immersed each day
In the imagination of five-year-olds
Their in-the-moment
Love of life infusing her
With the joy and energy of a child

Her heart is loving
She is standing at the gate
Carefully watching each child go home for the day
They look to her in awe and adoration
Her face forever etched in their mind
The thought of her smile always bringing pride and comfort

By Mindy Hirst
September 11, 2006