I Miss My Providence High

Ms. Marisa Paolone '96, English Faculty

I miss my Providence High.

These ten months away, A sort of dream. Many days I stop, And ponder, As it never quite seems, That I have been away from home this long.

The list of things I miss, A never-ending catalog, Everything, A palpable longing. My morning drive, The turn of the key to my classroom- I miss a job that never feels like work.

All around, little things...

Daily walks down the halls, The turning of a knob Echoed memories of my years as a Pioneer, Remain incredibly clear.

I yearn for The sounds - Of student lockers closing, Of morning prayers, announcements, Pep rallies, theme day, and masses together. Extraordinary energy always present, Constant laughter.

The sounds of - My coworkers. Their dedication, devotion, diligence - All pure magic, And It only makes sense, That I miss True interaction on campus, Heavenly Each makes up our PHS family.

My students. Our students. I miss - Our daily Sacred encounters. Dancing as you enter the room, hearing the music I play. Your daily salutations, Expressions of gratitude, grace each day, And everything is easier. Each face, Each laugh, Each countenance and sound throughout the learning process. Your insights, your jokes, Make me laugh, A part of my soul. How you, teach me.

I hope - You know How much you are missed, Valued. This time, more than ever, We are one, the same. I cannot truly claim To understand, Your daily battles, Though I pray, For you, Every, Single, Passing day.

Yet We will come home. I can touch it, I can see, With ardent transparency. And, As our Alma Mater claims, We will gather. We will truly, Join the joyful cry - Hail, all hail, our Alma Mater, Hail [our] Providence High!