Poem #41: Fanning the flames

I'm in my eighth year of retirement, following 34 years in front of high school students -- first in inner-city Chicago and then the final 29 years in a large suburban high school. My last 9 years, I also served as chair for the 26 member English Department. I loved teaching, coaching, directing kids in variety show, and (mostly loved) running the English Department, but now I love retirement just as fervently.

Anyway, after 5 years as department chair, this poem materialized in my mind, explaining how I envisioned the personnel aspect of the job.

Fanning the flames

The Department Chair

I am the fire man.
I fan the flames.

I hire new-cut kindling
fresh, green, pliable,
anxious to bonfire and light the world.

I fan that flame
bright and warm with youthful passion
and ablaze with idealism.

I fan that flame
as I feed it the tinder of encouragement and praise,
channeling its searing energy.

I watch its vigorous sparks take wing
infectiously rekindling cooling flames
who glow again with reawakened brilliance.

I fan the flames
and proudly watch our young Tomorrows
drawn to knowledge like moths to fire.

I fan the flames
esteeming their radiating warmth
and reveling in the conflagration of education.

I am the fire man.
I fan the flames.


copyright 1997 by Chuck Morlock