for Telcine Turner-Rolle By Dionne Benjamin-Smith also for Stan Burnside for Denis Knight for Dr Keva Bethel for Jackson Burnside * * * * a good and gentle soul has passed all-a-you be quiet wit ya infernal noise please give me silence to mourn a friend taskmaster/teacher ... a joy she was a quiet shape that shifted in and out ever watching, speaking winsome words moving lightly ... barely being seen but a presence ... surely being heard a lilting tenor ... a dulcet voice she ruled with an iron pen scratches of red blotting out black i thought it would never end but marks made ... showed considered care a keen mind ... a ready wit an unexpected comment, a double take a mind set for merit ... a quickening lit for three years she pursued me to publish a play that I wrote an assignment for her writing class a clumsy attempt, and I quote "this is not good enough" "how could you possibly want this?" for three yearsI resisted but she would hear none of it but consistently she cajoled She'd say, "there's potential I see" until I could resist no more; I'm glad I gave what she asked of me how do we say thanks to those who inspire who pushed and prodded and lit the burgeoning fires? who gave of themselves encouraged without favour who molded young minds with ceaseless labour what kind of trinket can equal time given unselfishly? this awkward verse - a pale gift for one who gave so much to me. But what I have learned yes, another eternal lesson from another painful parting to my own self, I chasten no longer will I wait till death pulls them away to thank those I treasure to honour sacrifices paid I'm not a wordsmith like Christian like Nico, Ian or Lynn like Obi, Asha or Sonia like Pattie or Marion but with the few words I have to those who mentored and taught like Rolle, Burnside and Knight your impact is not forgot. your talents continue to amaze me your words still echo and ignite the best gift I can ever give you: your lessons having taken flight.