2 TEACH and HANDS

Poetry by Jennifer Brown Banks

2 TEACH

(Dedicated to Room 406)

On a good day
It's not a bad way
To toil away
The hours,
Creating avenues to empower,
Molding minds
Deconstructing myths,

Attempting to "school"
Exploring old rules,
And new possibilities,

Instructing,
Informing,
Drilling,
Instilling,
Shedding light,
Lighting paths

To combat
Poverty's darkness

 

HANDS

(Dedicated to L.F.)

TO THE MAN
WHOSE HANDS
CHAUFFEUR ME TO WORK
ON BITTER WINTER MORNINGS—

WHOSE STRENGTH
RESCUES JAMMED JELLY JARS
STUBBORN LOCKS,
AND THINGS PERCHED
HIGH
IN HARD TO REACH PLACES

HANDS THAT TINKER,
TOIL,
PAINT.
PRAY,
PROVIDE,
AND OCCASIONALLY PREPARE
FRIDAY NIGHT DINNERS,

HANDS THAT SOOTHE TEARS,
PROVIDE PLEASURE
UPHOLD,

VERSATILE,
DARK,
LIFE LINES
LIKE A TREE BARK
HANDS THAT HOLD THIS HEART