"Dear student, as you leave this place" 2013

A poem for this year's Upper 6 leavers.

Dear student, as you leave this place

Allow me to send

you off

with some thoughts,

hopes, and dreams,

I have for you.

                    

I have seen

and heard

and felt

your pain, your joy.

You have brought me

tears and laughter.

From the depths of where you have come from

what you have known

here

May you know

now and always

that within you

is power--

power to determine, to choose

who you will be

who you will let others be

Be peace

Be strength

Be grace

Be love

And let others be

peace  --  strength  --  grace  --   love.

I hope

as you go out into the

big wide

that you, dear student,

never forget the

power of words

to determine

you,

to determine

others.

Do not let

anyone use this power over you

-without your permission-

again.

I hope that words will

instead

move and inspire

you

to be more

than you ever thought possible

I hope you use words to

instead

move and inspire

someone else

to be more

than they ever thought possible.

                                      

I dream for you

the best that I have seen in you.

May you find

the good

the truth

in others, in yourself,

in this place.

And when you do, dear student,

Cling!

Hold fast!

With---all---your---strength.

May you know

everyday

everywhere you go

that

you

can

be

more.

Miss Bell, October 2013

Dear lower-going-on-upper 2013

Written a few weeks ago for a very, unusually special Lower-6 (Junior/Grade 12) class.

Dear lower-going-on-upper

I’ll have you know

I only write poetry when I

care

about something

a lot.

But I do-

about you.

So, here it is.

I cherish the privilege of

standing in front of you.

I’m grateful each time

you let me glimpse

the reality of your world.

I understand the honour of that gift

and hold it with two hands

in awe.

When I think of you

I have so much hope,

dear lower-going-on-upper sixes

You can be so much

do so much

--dare I hope it—

change so much.

I hope, too,

the light never leaves your eyes

            or your heart

Don’t let anyone

            no matter how nice

            or mean

Take it from you.

I hope, too,

you remember

how you felt

here

and out there

and that you protect

the best in yourself and

in those yours to protect.

Outside will try to take

your joy

your love

your humanity --

Hold tight,

dear lower-going-on-upper.

Hold for dear life

Refuse to let go--

Sing, love, give,

And

dance

in the rain.

Miss Bell, October 2013