Fare Thee Well

 Fare Thee Well
 
A slight rise in the earth,
 a gentle place near the school’s entrance,
 
marks the spot where we teachers
 gather on this most joyful day,
 
the raggedy remnant of the school year measured in hours
 to wave good-bye
 
(God Be With Ye)
 (We Did What We Could)
 
to our charges, their heads stuffed with us,
 now Colts to pasture, set free to cavort and buck as they please.

 And we, stern taskmasters all, 
 discover our smiles once more,
 
cast off our titles, Mr. or Ms.,
 to become again,
 
Barb, Phil, Dale, Terri, Mik, Rin, Carolyn, Doug, Dawn, Mike, Arlys, and Joan. 

 Amid the deafening roar of honking buses pulling away, we catch 
 young faces tight to windows, frantic waves, smiles, tears,
 
and the occasional
 bold middle finger.