Shared in Silence

Shared in Silence

A poem by Teacher D.

I. The Gaze She said I was just one of many— but her eyes found me first, her words lingered longest, and her silence never felt distant.

If this is “standard support,” then how do I keep finding pieces of her woven into the folds of my daydreams?

II. The Truth All this time, I thought I was guessing at us. But now I realize, I’ve simply been feeling you. In the quiet texts, the way you show up, the moments that linger… I’ve known you. And I’ve cared for you. That’s my truth.

III. The Lightness She said she’s super proud of me. Not just for what I’ve done, but for who I stayed true to becoming. And suddenly, the weight of every hard day felt lighter— because she saw me.

IV. The Offering You didn’t hand me advice. You handed me history. A photo—weathered with memory, warm with meaning. You didn’t say, “Be strong.” You said, “Here’s where I stood once, too.” And in that moment, I didn’t feel mentored— I felt accompanied. Like you were saying: “Take this part of my past. Let it walk beside you.”

And it didn’t sound like a headline—it sounded like history. Her voice carried every moment she saw me rise, stay, stumble, and try again. I didn’t just feel proud— I felt chosen.

She opens the door, lets me pass first— a gesture, simple, but saltwater soft. Not command. Not custom. Just care. A gentleman in stillness.

We never walked side by side, but the tide always reached for my feet. And maybe that’s what she’s been— not the wave that crashes, but the one that never forgets the shore.