The bell rings and the chatter of restless kids intensifies as they hurry out the classroom door.

A hush settles over this cluttered room.

Christmas break looms around the corner. Can't you tell?

Slowly, I begin my methodical daily ritual of straightening out desks and picking up trash that has accummulated throughout the day.

And then I spot 'the note'.

Another one of 'those.'

6th graders...*smile* - do you remember those days?

I cannot resist the temptation to read the all important words that have come from one heart and transcribed down in faded pencil lead to be conveyed to another anxiouslsy awaiting heart.

This note never made it.

But otheres will...I'm sure.

Expressions of love and adoration and promiese and hopes and dreams.

~sigh~ I understand these words.

Do you remember...those days?

Innocent love.

I smile as I read the note...and breath a sigh of thanks that I am NOT their spelling teacher.

But it woudln't make any difference. Love has a way of overlooking those things. It is the melody of the heart that sings the message.

I close my eyes and remember those days. When love was innocent and free and ...permissible.

It is all to familiar the incredible warmth of and 'glowing fuzzis' that accompany such love. The recollections are all to vivid in my mind.

And I don't even have to go back to the 6th grade to remember.

But those were the days...were they not?

Funny how that 'love thing' works.

Seems you cannot enjoy the soaring ride of intoxicating love without paying the admission price of potential heartbreak and loss. I guess it is part of a 'package deal.'

But nevertheless...what a ride it is.

I shake myself...and remember where I am again.

Time is passing and another day has come and gone.

I finish my half-hearted attempt to bring order back to this room...and my life...and casually toss the gathered trash into it's appropriate resting place.

There goes another note...with words...I could have written.

Was this message lost?

*smile*

I don't think so.

Real love...has a way of just going on and on..faded pencils or not.

I look out a window...as I turn the lights off and smile.

Memories...

Innocent love...finding it's way on to notebook paper with ruffled edges and mis-spelled words...

Such is life....such is lfe.

Tomorrow is another day.

<small>[ December 18, 2002, 04:40 PM: Message edited by: lighthouse ]</small>

Lighthouse, thanks for sharing your creative thoughts. Beautiful and yet the sadness seeps through.

Isn't it strange how we miss it when we are kids? You grow up and years later realize some kid had a huge crush on you and you never even clued in...or like your poem, it is just sweet and innocent and so enjoyable.

I hope things improve for you soon.