Not long ago, while cleaning out my writing files, I found a folder of poems written by elememtary students. They were in my possession because I had been a judge of the children's writing works. I sorted out what was the best of them and we reviewed them at a recent Beanery Writers Group meeting. Since I had no way of contacting the students of these poems, some of which I wanted to post, I had to dispose of them, and after the meeting very sorrowfully burned the papers. However, the poems inspired Kathleen to write her own poem about the budding poets. She poses a question at the end of her work. To touch the heart, make us laugh take us back. . .. An assignment given by an elementary teacher showcased the talents of her class. Given a variety of topics, ideas, poetic forms the children’s freshly written creations took shape. New ideas blossomed. The poems were gathered, names withheld the entries numbered to be judged. Which ones were selected we will never know for time has obliterated them like snow. The children have moved on graduated, started jobs, raised families taking their talent, uniqueness with them. Years later the teacher found these treasures among a stack of forgotten papers. She wanted to edit a collection of children’s poems, but found it was impossible; not a trace, not a clue, remained only Numbers not Names One by one the white sheets flutter into the trash into the gutter into the flames Numbers not Names Was there perhaps a future poet laureate a Mattie J.T. Stepanek among them?
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