Your ghosts are here, and I am too,
I patiently await.
Your untimely arrival,
Then I’ll open up my gate.
The quad you sang your songs in, I quietly sang, too,
Your school pride bursting at my seams, oh how I miss you.
I’ve seen your tears on drop-off day,
As moms waved you goodbye,
You stepped inside my classrooms,
Not sure how you would survive.
You were tiny, only five years old,
A day I won’t forget,
I held you all, upon my ground,
A weight I’d welcome back.
First grade came and went so fast,
I’d chuckle when you’d laugh.
On my playground with your friends,
Oh how I want you back.
I’m silent now, with memories,
Floating all around.
They’re silent, too, but you were not,
Children all abound
My cafeteria is void of food,
My office, hushed at rest.
Can’t mark you gone or tardy,
Cannot give you one more test.
I am here, and you are not,
Your ghosts keep me wide awake.
I feel you running in my grass,
The footsteps you would take.
Second grade, same as the first,
I blinked and it was gone.
You dressed for Halloween parades,
Had picnics on my lawn.
You somehow grew and went to third,
Before I was aware.
Of what big kids you had become,
A joy so hard to bare.
I had just two more years with you,
Before you’d walk away.
From all I am, a place for you,
On graduation day.
In fourth you learned to ballroom dance,
Played music I could hear.
Kept secrets from your teachers,
Grew closer to your peers.
The kids that you grew up with,
Would walk as one out of my gate,
When fifth grade ended, come mid-June,
But, oh…that’d have to wait.
They made you leave, I had to stay,
I’ve remained in place for you.
It’s not your fault, just rest assured,
That I will wait for you.
If middle school comes next and you,
Cannot walk through my gate,
I’m at peace with that, I prepared you for,
The next step you would take.
I am here, oh how I miss you,
My fifth graders, you have grown.
Away from crying children,
Into people of your own.
I’ll stay quietly beneath the lights,
And wait for what comes next.
It’s been a good five years with you,
Now go, and be your best.
Love – Midland Elementary School
Mid-LIFE Reinvention 