She was just an English teacher

For twelfth grade brats like me

She taught other levels

But at the end of the day it was we

 

She was nothing extraordinary

To the world at large

But to me she was a hero

Someone to count on free of charge

 

One fateful day the assignment was set

An essay we were to write

Non-fiction, truthful every word

This did cause me a fright

 

My world was hidden, secret

Hardly a soul did know

That school was my get-away

To home I didn't want to go

 

I sat to write the story down

The assignment weighed upon my mind

Finally, I decided to do it

I pushed away the worry and fear that did bind

 

I let the words pour forth

Spouting as though a pipe had sprung a leak

By the time I was done with the truth about home

Every inch of me felt weak

 

A couple days passed by real fast

I thought that maybe I was in the clear

Then on the way out of that class

“May I see you a minute?”, I hear

 

She asked if my essay was true

She asked how long I had lived this way

She rubbed and shook her weary head

Then said she would see me the next day

 

From there on I had a friend

She was always there for me

Once Seniors were released from school

I wanted to stay, as she could see

 

She made arrangments for me to help

I assisted with her classes

I assisted students with their papers

So they had a better chance of passing

 

The problems at home resolved themselves

As problems will sometimes do

I went my way, and she went hers

But forget her, I'll never do

 

She passed away a few years back

She's buried now ~ I don't know where

But she will live forever in my heart

Mrs. Mallett, teacher extraordinaire!