Initial Conditions

first and foremost

happy first day
i didn't see you
purposefully didn't need to
wonder how your day went
if the paper thin scheduling
and record setting enrollment
worked in your favor
or to your detriment
these first days
hot, quenching academic thirst days
maybe thin on subject matter content
but we're contented to take the win
in the moments where and when it matters most
educational oddessy
they're the guests of honor
and we're honored to host
faceless mass name memorization
bump fists to mold smiles
concealed behind by facemasks
scalp exit tickets at door
got all my steps in
closed my rings and headed home
to get some rest and get ready for 200 days more
making a difference to justify our existence
eastern philosophy makes peace with western resistance
intentionally buildup relationships
comes easy for some
why not with you

🏫

Wrote this for a school teacher while reflecting on the impact they will have on just one student the course of one year. Multiply that across their roster, over the course of their career and the effects are nothing short of monumental - a living monument that is continuously rebuilt.

Everyone is busy on the first day of school and even though I didn't stop for fear of being an unwanted imposition, I still thought of you.