School Days (for Carol)

From September to June,

early morning or late at night, a weekend or workday,

it hardly matters;

she follows bells, schedules, and rosters;

she shuffles papers and straightens desks,

poring over books, writings, and words,

sharpening ideas for sharing.

From chalkboards, whiteboards, and smartboards

pencils, pens, and pixels;

essays, quizzes and tests,

classes, courses, and conferences

faculty staff, principals, students,

colleagues and friends;

she fashions pictures and patterns,

weaving fabric for this age.

From forty years of school days,

of beginnings and endings,

of knowledge and truth,

of reading and writing

of children and of education;

she seamlessly sews,

forming--a calling,  

a career, a legacy…

a life.

Well done, good and faithful, teacher;

Well done, good and faithful, friend.

                                    with love, Ellen

                                    June 2012

(this commemorative quilt was made from the "School Days" design line by Moda and this pattern.)