In the Quiet Moments

After the excitement of the learning

And the exhaustion that follows,

After the performance for the principal

And the observation is over,

After the bustle of the school day

And the echo of the students has left my head,

After networking with teachers

And the anticipation of our plans,

After tutoring a student in need of me

And staying late on a Friday night

After correcting mountains of assignments

And finding the improvement in all,

After setting up appointments

And picking up prescriptions,

After walking the dog

And hoping the chewing will stop,

After cooking supper

And helping with homework,

After the workout is done

And the muscles are aching

I take the time to let the quiet and stillness overtake me.

It is then the emptiness sets in.

The void of

The perfect pitch of Oksana singing through life

The rational voice of Tony as my intensity builds

The stories of a school day

The feel of their arms wrapped around me

The company of my soul mate

The heat of my husband as we sleep

In the quiet moments

I realize how much I miss them.