Ode to my Teachers

I see myself kneeling at your feet,

Tears in my eyes.
Oh, what would I be
Without your guiding light?

Who is a teacher?
I’ve had many.
But I only consider
The ones who broke me.

You broke me with sound. 
I listened, watched your every move.
I pretended to be you,
But your shoes were too big for me.

You broke me with words. 
Your questions provoked thoughts
That led to action,
Yet I couldn’t reach the peak.

You broke me with torture. 
Punished me at times,
Sent me back without a lesson,
Challenged every bit of my soul.

You broke me with kindness. 
Lessons you freely gave,
Sprinkled with care and love.
You saw potential.

You broke me with your presence. 
The air that filled the room.
You were a mountain;
I, a speck of dust.

You broke me with silence. 
Your absence, heartfelt.
A lesson in detachment. 
The most important one.

I fall at your feet, Teacher,
With reverence and gratitude.
Someday, I’ll make you proud.
Thank you for the lessons.