"We will all the pleasures prove..."

Mar 06, 2010 16:01

I went for an hour long walk today, without a destination in mind. I haven't done something like this since November. My legs hurt a little bit, in a good, achy weary accomplished way but I'm also a bit embarrassed by just how out of shape I've gotten.

Thanks to everyone who's put up with me for the past several months. It kind of baffles me that I still have friends after having become such a cranky stressed out person all the time.

Also, can I just link to this poem every time a student asks me this question?

Did I Miss Anything? by Tom Wayman
                                                        Question frequently asked by
                                                        students after missing a class

Nothing. When we realized you weren't here
we sat with our hands folded on our desks
in silence, for the full two hours

Everything. I gave an exam worth
        40 per cent of the grade for this term
        and assigned some reading due today
        on which I'm about to hand out a quiz
        worth 50 per cent

Nothing. None of the content of this course
has value or meaning
Take as many days off as you like:
any activities we undertake as a class
I assure you will not matter either to you or me
and are without purpose

Everything. A few minutes after we began last time
        a shaft of light descended and an angel
        or other heavenly being appeared
        and revealed to us what each woman or man must do
        to attain divine wisdom in this life and
        the hereafter
        This is the last time the class will meet
        before we disperse to bring this good news to all people
                on earth

Nothing. When you are not present
how could something significant occur?

Everything. Contained in this classroom
        is a microcosm of human existence
        assembled for you to query and examine and ponder
        This is not the only place such an opportunity has been
                gathered

but it was one place

And you weren't here

tom wayman, poetry

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