The Left Side of my Brain on the Right Side of a Page

To My Student

I can teach your hand to write
The letters that form a word.
I can teach you how to put
The words into a sentence.
I can show you the definition
Of anything you choose.
The principles of language;
They're yours.
The movement of the pencil,
The pen - they're yours.

But when you reflect
On what you have learned,
I have not taught you English.

I cannot teach you
The ways letters paint
In ink and graphite
On a white, blue-striped canvas.
I cannot teach you how to make
Words fly off of a page.
I cannot teach you
Connotation, association,
How do you feel about this expression?
A language so broad,
So enhanced, so demanding,
And what have you in conquering it?
I haven't taught you anything.

This term you call yourself,
"Literate"
Is not a skill;
It's an opportunity!
A blessing!
A gift!
Oh, how wonderful a discovery
If there ever be one!
And it goes so far beyond
What you can grasp from my speech.

Child, I will tell you of what I know,
But this I know for sure:
I am no more than a person.

The distinguishing quality that
Seperates teacher from person
Is the magnificent ability
Of English understanding,
And I want so badly
For you to have it.

Open your heart, child.
Open your mind.
To be literate,
To comprehend,
To know language
Is to soar on the wings
Of an angel.

Literacy is powerful.
Literacy is why I am.