The Light We Pass On

Some search for the light,
never stepping beyond the shadows.
Some stand still, beacon in hand,
waiting to be found.
And some ignite their own flame,
pushing into the unknown,
seeking those left behind.

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Teachers do not linger at the edge of darkness…
they move forward, relentless,
their light not just a guide, but an offering.
They do not wait; they press on.
They do not simply shine; they kindle.

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And in that spark,
students learn to light their own way,
bring clarity to where confusion once lived,
chase not just knowledge, but purpose.

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Do not hold the light…extend it.
Do not stand still…seek.
Do not merely glow…illuminate.

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Teachers are more than beacons;
They are flames passed from hand to hand.
And you need not be a teacher to carry light…
only to be willing to share it.

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First published in Teach. Write. A Literary Journal for Writing Teachers, Spring~Summer 2025, pg. 51