A poem written last December...

My Friend
Five years ago I crossed the threshold of room two-hundred three
To say I was nervous would be an understatement and I hoped you wouldn’t see
A highly revered & knowledgeable veteran teacher awaited my arrival on the other side
With a reputation preceding her ~ marvelous, dedicated and wonderful…dignified

With expectations and standards set high for all that enter your classroom
Your love and dedication for literature isn’t one that I would need to assume
Books, books and more books on shelves, on desks and in the children’s hands
Inspiring both children and your colleagues alike ~ to join you in an array of literature dreamlands

We started a journey as colleagues and a team hoping to inspire and motivate students to learn
Your former students look forward to sharing their new experiences and knowledge as they return
Crossing the threshold much taller and wiser than the first time they met each of us
Remembering the time they said, “The law is the law lady!  Get off the bus!”

We have shared many experiences and thoughts since that first day of school
Your ability to inspire and motivate those blessed with sharing a room with you is miniscule
For your care and love is an ever-present and unspoken gift even as I’m up the hall
We’ve become friends through the various classes and life experiences ~ sometimes causing us to bawl

You’ve taught me to be the teacher I have grown to be on this bitterly cold December day
Sharing your time, talents and heart to mentor and nurture one your protégé
Your expertise and willingness to add character qualities and skills to my repertoire
As an educator, wife, mother and especially your friend!

May God continue to bless you with life’s treasures both big and small
As life takes us in different directions in the years to come ~ all we’ll need is to make a quick call
Whether it is chocolate, paper towels or tissues in my hands ~ one thing will always be
A true friend, editor and confidant will I find in the precious room two-hundred three.

I love you my dear friend,  Lisa Buske 2010      
My apologies - formatting lost when posting to blog.