To The Guru of The Passing Year

To the Guru of the passing year
I bow, and say Namaste!
I behold the divine in you
I pause, and say thank you
for every teaching

though I am a poor student
don't finish my assignments
want credit for it all
yearn for recess
fall asleep during class

need a bell to wake up
yet love learning as light
loves the empty room
at the end of the day

thank you
for the teachings that woke me
and for those I slept through

I walk out with a nod of your blessing
as the door of this year closes behind me.
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian from her book of poetry The Moon Reminded Me

(A note from the author: Guru is a Sanskrit word meaning teacher, the light that removes the darkness of ignorance. The term can apply to one's teacher; to God, the Teacher of all teachers; or to Life itself with its inherent tendency to support spiritual awakening and the fulfillment of its purposes.)