week 397 ~ what we can’t give them poised here

what we can’t give them poised here
at this moment of ending
the one thing that makes it clear

to choose from all we hold dear
what matters most partings bring
what we can’t give them poised here

the strength to go beyond fear
find something worth defending
the one thing that makes it clear

that all will be well to steer
their ship wisely wing on wing
what we can’t give them poised here

life’s true path don’t interfere
when they are flung resisting
the one thing that makes it clear

for someday it will appear
suddenly like love or spring
what we can’t give them poised here
the one thing that makes it clear

May 19, 2010

Last exam given. Now all that remains of the semester is a pile of papers and tests to grade and, hopefully, some bits of knowledge lodged somewhere in my students’ post-exam brains. We who teach are optimists. We believe that what we think is important truly is, and that passing on an understanding of how it all works is crucial to continuing culture as we know it. Even in the face of ever-increasing assaults by seductively instantaneous media and entertainment, we believe the masterpieces, the traditions, the acheivements of past centuries remain current. And that passing on knowledge, beyond a quick Wikipedia overview, is a worthwhile way to spend a life.