ASSIGNMENT: Write an I Remember poem.

- Ericka

 

I Remember

for Ericka

 

I remember the smells of hand cream being applied during class

and the smell of pizza for lunch.

I remember the day a student discovered the rings of Saturn

circling her eyes.

I remember ‘goodbyes’ when students passed their GEDs

and tears at graduation – of happiness and pride.

I remember how one class renamed Poetry Class, Crying Class, and how we learned together the power in our emotions.

I remember the sounds of pencils on paper, the buzz of the sharpener, and requests for “More paper, Miss.”

I remember so many voices, each accented by honey or fire, by the timbre of chimes or drums.

I remember handwriting and lines from poems, even when I forget the student poets’ names.

I remember trying to break up a fight by yelling, “Ladies! Please!”

I remember new babies passed from hand to hand – our Care Center family growing.

I remember fashion critiques from students as I tried to interest them in metaphor or rhyme.

I remember the gray cat who used to crawl through the window during class.

I remember being called the Poetry Lady, The Happy Teacher, and Sylvia, and Miss.

I remember Hypatia and Religion class and Intro to Criminal Justice – two and a half times!

I remember yelling at a student for being late. She apologized, and never told me it was because her boyfriend was arrested that morning as he was driving her to school – and she had to walk the rest of the way.

I remember laughing so hard with a group of students one day that I had to sit on the floor.

I remember the sounds of students and teachers huffing, sighing and complaining, “Dios Mio,” as they climbed the last step to the third floor … just outside my office door.

I remember Selenia standing in the doorway of her office, proud and beautiful – a mother and grandmother to us all.

I remember every teacher who passed through and most of the students, too.

I remember a young woman coming to The Care Center shy and unsure, then blossoming day by day. I remember her standing up to read her poems in spite of her tears. I remember her coming to school wearing a medal one day. It was for rowing, but it could have been for just about anything.

 

- Tzivia