Monster

Vandalism or Visitation?

The seed of this poem was planted during an engaging recent public chat

Susan Cain

. Susan’s gentle wisdom and the thoughtful sharing in that gathering reminded me once again how often the monsters that show up on my doorstep are nudging me toward a greater and greater awareness of the hidden inhabitants in my own heart.

Monster

Next door,
a noise-spewing monster
painted our fence black,
trampled raspberries,
scattered trash in the grass.

Shown the evidence,
she shrugged—
“Whatever…”

We tried kindness,
threat,
authorities.

Then—
with a heart’s flicker
we glimpsed
the features of the teacher
behind the veil
of disguise.

We picked up the litter,
watered the bushes,
painted silver stars
on the black fence,

left cornbread and jam
on her porch—
and a paper crane
that rose,
its wings unfolding
into the morning mist.

Have you ever met a teacher disguised as a monster? I’d love to hear.