I am not your mother…

       statues under Naples in Italy April 2019 taken by Joy Acey

 

The Usage of Not
by Jeanne Poland

I am not your mother…
yet you make my breast milk run.

I am not your father
yet I model balancing the bank account.

I am not your daughter
yet I prune your flowers and lovingly arrange them.

I am not your butler
yet I fold your clothes dryer cornered and straight.

I am not your teacher
yet I accord you director’s chair.

I am not your student
yet I listen and discern each distinction you create.

I am not your partner
yet I move with you, the icing on your cake.

Try to avoid me…
as I skittle down your tongue to the deep throat below!

Listening is my Benediction

Listening is my Benediction

Instead of my own a-jeanne-da
I’ll listen.

Instead of imagi-nation
I’ll listen.

Instead of analy-sis
I’ll listen.

Instead of teach-er
I’ll listen.

Exit the teacher
enter the student

open to learning
open to honoring you.

Illustrators Connect!

illustrated in Procreate by Don Smith

Teacher – student join

after 25 years of

art, color, honor