As I Stop at the Light
She, with little to her name, fumbles a moment in her purse, rolls down her window, and hands money to the man with the sign she can’t read. He thanks her, and says, “God bless you.” All she understands is his smile, which she returns with a nod of her head. She rolls up her window. I place my hand on her shoulder. She smiles at me, and I at her.
And how could I have
immediately known her,
if not for the light.
© Marie Elena Good 2025
She entered my class
in purple, with her purple
phone, and purple coat.
Obviously, this
is her favorite color,
and it becomes her.
She is tall, and has
an elegance about her,
along with a wit.
But the shimmering
gold of her heart was revealed
when she used her phone’s
translator app to
say, “Teacher, if I could, I’d
give you my own eyes.”
I’m not sure what the
color of humbleness is,
nor of gratitude,
but I imagine
the shades of them reflected
in my complexion.
© Marie Elena Good 2024
This is true. Last Thursday, this lovely refugee soul entered my class, an absolute vision in purple. Due to recent surgery from a retina tear and detachment, as well as detached macula, I cannot see from my right eye. She hugged me, and then used her translator app to speak this most sincere, generous sentiment. I couldn’t hold back tears. Amazing heart.
She spent the entire afternoon asking me relevant, insightful questions about the school’s students, staff, and mission. How do you teach babies and preschoolers a second language? What countries do they come from? What languages are spoken? Which is the most common? (She made note of Arabic, and couldn’t wait to ask her mom if she can begin studying it via Rosetta Stone or Duolingo). Would I please contact the volunteer coordinator to see if it is acceptable for a ten-year-old to volunteer to help the adults care for the children? Are masks required? Is there a dress code? Is there a form her parents could complete and sign, giving her permission to volunteer there? Even if they can’t let her volunteer yet, can she take a tour of the school, and meet the staff? Oh, and would I please tell them she is mature for her age?
Eager native sprout
seeks to share energy to
root and bloom transplants.
© Marie Elena Good, 2021
pictured words 