Mrs. Lum's classroom

Mrs. Lum's ClassroomI grew up in her classroom,

As she taught us about the past,

About heroes and leaders

and stories that would last...

She made it interesting somehow,

For through the tiresome pages,

She would excite us with her passion,

To relish legends of the ages.I grew up in that classroom,

As the sultry afternoons went by,

She taught that we could not succeed,

Unless we really tried.

She showed us by example,

What it meant to be,

A little lamp in a cold dark world,

For all the world to see.I grew up in her classroom,

And when my heart did ache,

Her clarity and gentleness

Would teach me not to stake

My happiness in another,

Or in my own futile dreams,

For real joy in a person's life,

Must come from deep within.I grew up in that classroom,

Where we discussed our hopes and fears,

We knew that our heart's desires,

Fell on listening ears.

She told us to chase our dreams,

As children's dreams have worth,

For in our youthful vigor,

Our limits are boundless as the earth.I grew up in her classroom,

I think of her and smile,

In the middle of the books and grades,

My time with her was worthwhile.

For in the midst of my trouble now,

And in the heart of my pain,

I still return to that classroom

And I am happy again.

-- Elizabeth Segran