I Am Who I Am

Feisty, obstinate, and out of control 
walking into a room after the bell,
eyes piercing your every move
a check scrapping the
chalkboard.

Full of life, and bright as a new penny
rearranging the closet of supplies
for next year, because
you had run out of
assignments.

Dancing like a foo foo bird in the rain
your tent was wet, you were tired-
up the hill, in the mud 
with a flashlight, I 
came.

Running, full out and out of control

our first meeting, felt like-
happy, because you were
not my student, my
responsibility.

Faces, now friends, older
wiser adults, seeking
the past when we
were much
younger.

And-

I am who I am, because of you.

Copyright Denise A White