Inspiration

by Mary Wescott

The English teacher speaks of men long dead

Who dreamed of the source of inspiration.

The young men listen without interest

Dreaming of their own inspirations.

She brushes chalk dust from her hands

And feels the child within her move.

* * * * *

Mary Wescott has been writing poetry since she was in first grade. She has a BA in English and Philosophy from Georgetown University and an MFA in Poetry from the University of Oregon. She took 30 years off from writing poetry to teach school, beginning in 1987, and she retired last June. During her independent school career in Virginia, where she was known as Mrs. Riser, she taught English to students in grades 5-12; she was English Dept. Chair at the Blue Ridge School for Boys (1987-1992); she was Middle School Director at St. Anne'-Belfield School (1992-2007); and she was most recently Head of School at James River Day School (2007-2017). Now that she has put down her "Mrs. Riser disguise," she is back to writing poems.