Teeshirt Teacher

Hair ends fall like fronds
Around her face. To a child
She’s as tall as a queen palm.
Warm breeze strokes her arm
As she turns the page
And ivory smiles light java faces.

They love her, these kids,
And they love her novelty, her voice,
The sunshine of her eyes.
To her, they are more than resumé credits,
More than exotic objects. Their souls
Gain greater substance each moment
She teaches. In this tropic,
The cotton knit she wears
Holds her as lightly as the shade,
As the response of children.