The Ghosts of History
In this lab, where I work 40 hours a week,
live the ghosts of questions asked.
They hover over the outdated map of Asia on which the USSR
is still plump with member countries, even the coldly-named Estonia.
The ghosty questions cluster urgently around the globes
on which the peeling edge of Africa curls upward
like a thicket where birds cry, "slavery, slaver-eee."
I answer new questions every day, like "What is a despot?" and
"How does geography determine history?"
I vow to answer every question generously.
I am afraid that if I don't, a student will later fail a test,
and that will send another hungry ghost to haunt this lab.
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Author's Note
When students ask questions, there's a duty to answer. Every day, so many questions. So many duties.
Other stories by Gita M. Smith
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i like! you are up late, and I like this!
i like this too. i am not up late.
Well done. Reminded me of my days as a history teacher.
Well done. Reminded me of my days as a history teacher.
They are constructing huge new buildings but will not supply us with new maps. Kafka would love this place.
Provocative and blunt.
It's a sad day when the budgets trump the meaning of education, but a ray of light is a teacher who will dare to listen before speaking.
A pleasure to read.
Well done.
Finally, got to this. Glad I did. That last line brings it home.