I remember the way you would turn the pages of a book
Like you knew what you were doing
Like you knew who you were
Every page of that book
You wore round glasses
Round like continuity
Round like mama earth
Round like not square
As in queer
As in queer like the liberated scent of flowers
Wild violets, dandelions, clovers
I think you must have kept them in your overall pockets to remind yourself of how beautiful you are
How loved you are
When I would leave the magick of your classroom
I would paint terra-cotta pots and fill them with their wild gifts only I wanted
As the shadow and the sun played tag on their leaves
I'd be reminded of how beautiful I was
How loved I was
The same that nourished my iridescent dark skin surely must also touch yours
You had what books call "olive skin"
and it glows like a thousand lightning bugs in a brown paper lunch bag
Amber
Like the glow of the lamp that. shined it's light on us at reading time
You told my mother I was bright
You placed a book in my hands you said was one of your favorites
It also became one of mine
I found magick in your classroom library
I found possibilities
Tools to reimagine
Ways to love
A path back to me
Thank you for sharing your secret
Thank you for opening your book
I think your overalls said
"I'm quirky"
"I am for utilities sake"
"I am comfortable"
"I am comfortable with myself"
I am comforted by the thought of me
Me and my pocket full of wild things
Me reading tales of possibilities to my wild ones
Every turn of the page is a silent whisper you are beautiful and loved
I'm sure of it.
I am comforted by the secret
And I share it all with my children and my lover
So
I wear your overalls
And I am comforted