Teacher     by Kong Shiu Loon

Those were years of social transition
When teaching was still an admired profession
Young men and women saw it as a lifelong career
Helping children grow and thrive was a challenging frontier

I watched Ms Ho handling a pupil sent to her for disciplining
He had wronged a classmate with swearing and spitting
Ms Ho asked and patiently listened to the pupil his story
He showed defiance and elegance telling her not to worry

It was a long counseling session lasting for half an hour
In the end the pupil recognized his wrongs with tears and a deep bow
Ms Ho was in charge of disciplining pupils other teachers could not handle
Soft-spoken and sincere she approached them to win their hearts almost in total

Teaching to impart knowledge is one easy job
To help children see themselves and to be free and good is another job
Children of the computer age require not information from books
They must learn to know self and others to develop perspective outlooks

I remember Ms Ho handling eight or nine difficult pupils every week
There were times when she and pupil came to terms together weeped
I asked once why she had accepted such nervy tasks so willingly
She said giving herself to teaching came only naturally

[Before the 1997, Teachers’ Day 教師節 was on September 28. After the handover to the People’s Republic of China, the day was changed to September 10, which is when the PRC celebrates the holiday — Wikipedia]

Bright Moon and Buddha

My mother told me when I was nine
Life is fair and fine within Buddha’s sight
You must be diligent and you must try
You are your own Buddha in life

The moon is the Buddha I learned at night
She always shines to keep the dark world bright
To give those who seek wisdom and peace of mind
A renewing respite after continuing strive

Quietly she guides
To give all followers directions and delight
She is always right
Because in you she resides

My mother is now gone
But the wisdom she had left behind
Is forever in me shone my guide
She is my Buddha and moon lifelong

Mushroom Hunt; Childhood Then and Now.

Nature

A snow owl
Flying low
Covering distance
O’er a silent plain

Under frozen pebbles
Are found
Small bird bones
White as snow