I just found this in a folder on my computer. It’s a simple thing I wrote a good ten years ago for a student who came to my room during lunch everyday. It was a safe and quiet place, and he sat in the back of the room and read. I rarely said anything to him. There were a few students like that over the years. I wasn’t sure if I should have done more, but a safe and quiet place seemed like a good thing back then. Still does. I hope they are well.
“It was foolish and arrogant … to think you could imagine the truth of another human life, to penetrate its deepest secrets…”
– Richard Russo
For Young Friends
Who Live in Darkness
I do not pretend
to understand how night
holds you under
or where you go
when a riff of chords
pulls you down
or what happens
to a heart
that beats for nothing
or how it feels
when panic grabs your throat.
But I do know some things,
things we all learn
elsewhere, nowhere.
Pain, fear, humiliation, emptiness.
These are things I know, too.
I do not pretend
to understand your darkness.
But I will stay right here
as shadows lengthen
on empty streets
and listen
for the beat of your heart.
Oh dear, to have had you as a teacher! Thank you for this. I’m passing it on.
Thanks, David. I wonder more about the students who couldn’t even escape to an empty classroom. I suppose I would think twice about doing it now — as with everything. But I would hope students can still find safe spaces in schools.
Thanks for digging this one out and sharing it. I was honestly moved by your beautiful words and agree with David.
Thank you, Janna. Just visited your site, and it looks like we have a lot in common. I will visit again.
Thank you, Julia, for sharing this touching and beautiful poem! I will pass it along to all my teacher friends!
Thank you, Bea!
For me, safety was the library when I could get there. Thank you for giving others a safe place. I can only speak for myself but in those days, I would not have gone back if you had spoken. It isn’t you but it was all that was on my plate. However, reading your poem, would have been a wonderful gift even then.
I agree. Still love libraries and search them out wherever I go.
oh my gosh, that is so good! It’s my hope to be like you… giving someone a safe place. You are a gem Julie!
No doubt you already have.
Thank you for sharing this, nicely written. I liked how the poem surprised the reader by reaching out with hope and empathy after the initial imagery of despair. I hope others read a couple of times too.
Thank you.
There are similarities to your ‘Hugs’ poem.