On Having Never Taught You

A Cafe Mots Front Row Perspective

It’s a shame I never had you in class.
You would have made me laugh,
probably on a daily basis.
I’ll mourn the loss of all those laughs and smiles
until something distracts me, and I forget to.

You probably would have been a good student too—
not the kind of good student who always has his work,
studies for tests, takes notes, sits in the front,
and answers all of my questions—
but the kind of good student who thinks for himself
and reads all he can.

There have been others like you—
other creative, comedic clowns—
off to their graduated lives
of being funny for other people.

I have admired you
from the Little Theatre front row.
And I’ll probably remember you,
until something distracts me, and I forget to.