Debra Kemper - Almost May

I think I need more half-full bottles of water to clutter my desk.
More papers, keys, boxes of pens, and post-it notes.
More paper clips, pencil stubs, staples, and mugs.
More tissues and tiny pieces of chalk
More binders, books, tests, quizzes, and bits of paper.
More dust and eraser shavings,
More push pins and papers to correct.
More emails, forms, and file folders.
More copies to be made, and assignments to be handed back.

If I could only find on my desk
September's energy and enthusiasm,
its creative thoughts and fresh objectives,
its innovative ideas guaranteed to motivate students.
Its unsullied dreams.

But it is April.
My only hope is to find,
amid the muddle that teaching can create,
a clean, clear - and proficient - bottle of water
to wash away the winter from my mind.

Debra Kemper

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/almost-may/