Reggie

I taught mostly grade school for my 32 years of teaching.  I saw many, many students move on to lives of their own, but Reggie will be a little boy in my mind foerver.


                                                               Reggie had freckles-
                                                               Not just a few,
                                                               they were even
                                                               on his eyelids.
                                                               Reggie was small-
                                                               in fact, he was
                                                               smaller than all
                                                               of the other kids
                                                               in my class.
                                                               Reggie was poor.
                                                               he never bought
                                                               hot lunch.
                                                               He brought a
                                                               peanut butter sandwich
                                                               in a brown  bag.
                                                               Reggie was kind.
                                                               He would never return
                                                               the mean words
                                                               sent his way
                                                               by unthinking kids.
                                                               Reggie smiled--
                                                               Not just a
                                                               boyish grin,
                                                               but with those
                                                               big brown eyes,
                                                               he always warmed
                                                               my heart
                                                               On Reggie's birthday
                                                               his house
                                                               burned down.
                                                               As I held him,
                                                                REGGIE CRIED,