Note: From my years teaching high school English in both public and private schools, some memories stand out. This one, not from the classroom, was special, and I had not thought of it since I retired several years ago. After having lost my husband in 2008, had a hysterectomy in 2010 (uterine cancer, so early no treatment needed!), a hip replacement in 2013, recurrence of cancer cells in 2015---even after successful chemo, there are the inevitable moments when my usually positive outlook slips a little. One such morning during chemotherapy, the memory of this "teaching moment" popped up. I followed it into this poem and appreciated the lesson! May we all bend to the task at hand and walk out of our self-preoccupation into the gift of each day, making our own sunshine if need be! 


When I Taught Her How to Tie Her Shoes


A revelation, the student
in high school who didn't know
how to tie her shoes.

I took her into the book-room, knowing
what I needed to teach was perhaps more
important than Shakespeare or grammar,

guided her hands through the looping,
the pulling of the ends. After several
tries, she got it, walked out the door

empowered. How many lessons are like
that—skills never mastered in childhood,
simple tasks ignored, let go for years?

This morning, my head bald from chemotherapy,
my feet farther away than they used to be
as I bend to my own shoes, that student

returns to teach me the meaning of life:
to simply tie the laces and walk out
of myself into this sunny winter day.

[Originally published in Hospital Drive]​

  © 2018 Penny Harter