Send-Off

Because I do not know
how to leave well enough alone

Because the shedding of one obligation
often just means
it is time to don another

And because there will never
ever
ever
be a time
when I feel I have
done enough
when I feel I
am enough
for my students

I have begun
another venture:
offering to be pen pals
to those
who crave
human
interaction
through REAL LIVE LETTERS
in the REAL LIVE MAIL
using REAL LIVE HANDWRITING

And I ask how they are doing
and what they like for dinner
and I ask what they are doing
and how they are filling their days

but what I really mean to say is

Here.
I want you to have this thing,
this thing I made with my hands,
this thing that you hold in your hands,
this thing that took time
and effort
and care,
and I want you to know
you are worth that time
and effort
and care –

every
last
moment.