Ireland's OWN Poetry and Prose

The greatest of teachers
—by míchealín daugherty

I had to learn not to need(meadow grasses)
not to want(moon shining)not to ache,
not to plead(a shadow)learn
not to care(you-me in darkness)not to feel(stars).
I had to learn.

I had to learn not to look for you(trees)
not to wait, not to listen for your footsteps
(pine-scented)the sound of your voice
(without a conscious)not dream(barely conscious)not hope.
cruel teacher, I had to learn.

I had to learn not to cry(soft mist)
for the music that was you(sun soon)for the pleasure
that you gave(so far up that mountain)the scent of you
blow out the pain(memories are candles). yet
hardest of all, I had to learn not to love.

I had to learn...

And you, well you were the greatest of teachers.