(for Charlie Wright)
After five years, he came
back to us
as quiet as the clear sky
above our school.
To us, it was as if all
the leaves on all the lawns
had suddenly been swept
away by a wondrous force,
or the imprisoning clouds
had been pushed aside
so the stars could use
their grace and goodness
above us. It was as if
all things
were made new. His
conversations sounded
like songs, and his
handshakes were silent
expressions of thanks
that he was with us again.
This school, to him, was
like a sacred city once again,
and his simplest thoughts
seemed like visions
of what could still be
done.
We were lucky he let us
be with him again.
Standing beside him was
somehow like being special,
as special as this small,
sparkling school he loves
so much.
