Calmly you would watch
each day as we would teach.
Steadfast in your convictions
Each child, you have try to reach.
Consistent, and supportive
to each of us you have known,
sometimes days were not so easy
but through you we all have grown.
To hear the news was frightening
acceptance would not bare
That your gentle caring nature,
no longer would we hear.
A man who taught kids to talk it out
one who cared what they had to say
was taken from us by violence
by a cowards violent ways.
The pictures started flooding
my mind with clips of you,
the talks and conversations
and the things that you would do.
Like joining in the tasks at hand
us kids were asked to do
you helped out just, whenever,
there was a need of you.
Telling kids to talk it out
it was your gentler way
and knowing they respected you
had often, made my day.
You had a life, to be proud of
a life full of those that cared.
Your wisdom was beyond your years
and openly you shared.
You have reached the highest mountain
though your time here, was far too, short.
Colleague,friend,leader,mentor
rest well Mr. Rawlings
(OK Mr. Rawlings was a teachers aid at my middle school. he was shot and killed on March 14,2003.
he taught us to walk away from a fight. that is how he died walking away for a fight, he did not want to hurt and anyone. he was shot in the head. he died age 29, two days before he would be 30. his death was the first time I saw crips and bloods hugging and crying. the whole school went to his funeral. and they name the lunchroom after him. a pure sign of how important he was to us. thanks you.)
