February 15th, 2018

Today I traced letters into my cheek
tested their warmth
bit around their edges
and held them on my tongue until they
grew soft and quiet

I wanted my students to hear
wildflowers
or telescopes
or a promise
that all of this was not us

That our axis was
Sunday potlucks
Main Street carnivals
Hallway pleasantries

Each word fell flat in
the space between my lips.

Their eyes waited for
something they could hold
between themselves
and the world that
was too loud
too sharp
too cold.

Lauren Petri is a third year teacher at Dike-New Hartford High School. She teaches sophomore English, senior English, and a variety of other electives. ​​​​​​​