Ed DiCaria of March Madness fame, at ThinkKidThink is our host today! I'm sure it will be a fabulous party! Thanks Ed!
I've written earlier about my collection of poems that say goodbye, and as we are now living the final weeks of this school year, It's time for another goodbye poem. When I taught my own class, I either wrote or found a goodbye poem that I copied and laminated to give to students on the last day of school. Since I am working in a class these final weeks for a teacher who has needed to leave early, I thought I'd do this one more time for this class. This is a poem I wrote a while ago, but fits well because they will all be leaving this particular class this year, moving into other classes.
It will be in honor of their teacher, whom I know they will miss during these final days. The class has been very friendly and welcoming, yet I also realize it is such a challenge for them because their teacher is wonderful, and they've had a terrific year as a community. I'm sure the teacher will hold this class very close to his heart for a long time.
Time Rushes In
I can’t believe I’m going to have
to say goodbye to them again.
Time rushes in.
It seems we just become a family,
get settled in the nest,
and then they fly away to seek new goals,
to fight new fights, to dream other
dreams.
It's best to give a little push to help them
jump.
It’s best to give only a smile, a simple wave,
but I’ll be sure to ask for a small feather to keep here at my desk,
to help me tuck them in my mind,
to revisit the good times
now and then.
©Linda
Baie, 2013
Hi, Linda. It's so hard stepping into another teacher's shoes, especially as the school year closes.
ReplyDeleteSomehow, I pictured you tucking those memory feathers behind your ears -- a garland of feathers in your hair!
Yes, the students are welcoming, to a point, but it's going to be a challenge. Thank goodness I do know them and have worked in the class this year! Thanks, Laura.
DeleteGiving out goodbye poems is such a thoughtful gesture -- none of my teachers ever did that! Glad you weren't a total stranger to these particular students. I'm sure you and they will enjoy the final days of the school year together.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jama. I really believe it will all work out. The goodbyes this week will be over today, then on to other things, especially for the students.
DeleteWell said, Linda...and I'm sure these sentiments are shared by most teachers!
ReplyDeleteThanks Matt-often it really is bittersweet!
DeleteTough filling in for a well-loved teacher. It's good that you've at least worked with them some prior to this...but still tough duty!
ReplyDeleteI'm always curious as to which students remember and what they remember - and what they have kept of the experiences in school. Hopefully some will not only treasure your "good-bye gift", but will hold on to it to remind them that someone knew they were about to embark on a journey.
In the past, I've also had those 8th graders leaving write a letter to themselves, sealed envelopes, for their high school graduation. I keep them for 4 years & just mailed this year's group last week. I just hear from one or two, & usually it's those I've kept in constant touch with. It is often the silly moments they remember well! Sweet point there at the end, Donna.
DeleteThis time of year is bittersweet. I feel so protective of my fledglings, am so NOT ready to let them go when they are just on the brink of one more breakthrough in their learning...and yet, there are moments (many) when I'm ready to just push them out and tidy up the nest!
ReplyDeleteYep, you said it well, Mary Lee. The ups and downs of teacher life. Thanks!
DeleteLove the image of asking for a small feather to tuck kids into our minds…Perfect.
ReplyDeleteThank you Carol. Hope your year's end is going beautifully!
DeleteSo, I posted about just this, too - getting ready for the inevitable goodbye. I love the idea of an original poem with which to do this...but I haven't your gift of poetry, Linda. Love these lines:
ReplyDelete"to help me tuck them in my mind,
to revisit the good times
now and then."
Yes, that's just what one does...tuck memories of the year with these kids somewhere in the recesses of one's mind.
I loved your poem, Tara, & bookmarked it for future use & sharing! I didn't always write, but kept looking for other goodbye poems!
DeleteOh, I love the feather! Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ruth. So glad you liked it!
DeleteLovely, Linda. I know this will be appreciated by both students and teacher. I can't remember any of my teachers giving goodbye gifts, either. It's such a sweet gesture, I think I would remember if they had. Surely these students will, too.
ReplyDeleteI think each teacher at my school does something for a goodbye, & certainly we all have different kinds of parties and picnics, and ending traditions. I'm looking forward to getting to know the class as fast as I can so we can have a good 'ending' together. Thanks, Doraine!
DeleteBeautiful goodbye poem, Linda! Goodbyes are so bitter-sweet, especially so in this case with a class that is in the throws of transition before the end of the year. Your words will hearten them. =)
ReplyDelete