Thank You Notes
Thank You Notes
by Yolanda Barcus
written for the 2012 Invitational ELL Summer Institute
Dear Ms. Nemark,
Thank you
For teaching me
A, B, C… and 1, 2, 3…
And Although
I didn’t know it then,
You introduced me
To an idiom and
Not to take things so literally.
“LaBoy has ants in his pants”
Dear Ms. Paulker,
Thank you
For teaching me
How to write in cursive neatly.
And Although
I didn’t know it then,
You showed me
The material things
That I was not privy to see.
Blinding diamonds, dried fruit.
Dear Mr. Johnson,
Thank you
For teaching me
To use my athletic ability.
And Although
I didn’t know it then,
You trained me
On the rules of teamwork
And how important it could be.
Blue one-piece snap gym suit “YOLANDA”.
Dear Mrs. Norris,
Thank you
For teaching me
The basics of black history.
And Although
I didn’t know it then,
You let me
Speak my mind
And express my spirituality.
A preacher’s wife and all.
Dear Mr. Harris,
Thank you
For teaching me
In a class that was structured and orderly.
And Although
I didn’t know it then,
You showed me
That men could wear pink
And how to accept diversity.
Lacoste, pink with a little green alligator.
Dear Mr. Jones,
Thank you
For teaching me
Discipline (Although you didn’t have me).
And Although
I didn’t know it then,
You demonstrated to me
How to command respect
with your lessons on authority.
A straight line or these yard sticks across your behind.
Dear Ms. Anderson,
Thank you
For teaching me
That a person without knowledge could never be free.
And Although
I didn’t know it then,
You modeled for me
Your natural, afro-centric style
And how to embrace my ethnicity.
Shoulder length twists and Kente clothe garb.
Dear Mr. Branch,
Thank you
For teaching me
Art and how to show my creativity.
And Although
I didn’t know it then,
You showed me
What the traits, qualities and swagg’a
In my husband, should be.
That “Obama sharp” style and “Young lady!”
Dear Mom,
Thank you
For letting me be.
MG tested, passed,
Stamped and labeled.
Get on the bus
And out the neighborhood you go.
Thank you mom,
For saying, “No!”
Sincerely yours,
Yolanda Barcus
Bio: Yolanda Barcus is a teacher a Disston Elementary School