Poetry | Nostalgia

What the Teacher Forgot

Lessons I Remember

“Senior man sitting on the bench of a public transport stop” — Photo by Maksim Smirnov

This poem is dedicated to all the teachers, parents, and educators who fill our days with moments we’ll never forget.

We do not remember days, we remember moments.

— Cesare Pavese

Fall drops nostalgically
in leaves of moss, rust,
and yellow like the sunny days
of our past, in the golden hour
eclipsed by years elapsed.

Seasons rebecome,
and we lose days to the dust
of spring cleaning —
what’s tossed is lost and forgotten.

Until you sift through vintage clothing
and spot something
so one-of-a-kind, it’s priceless.

Then you recall waiting at the bus stop,
watching a kid set a tree
on fire with gasoline and a lighter,
the firefighters rushing to put it out.

Yep, those are moments
you’ll never forget!

These days of politics and inflation,
worry and stress,
afford little time to reminisce…