I'd mark with the sunshine

Years ago when I first started teaching, I was sitting in new teacher meetings. Some lovely veteran teacher shared a poem with our group that I've been trying to find for years and years. I've asked the people who were in the meeting- no one even remembered what I was talking about. It apparently made a huge impression on them. I've searched just about everywhere on the internet I could think of. It is the reason I don't use a red pen... ever.

I know a woman from my old ward. She is a librarian and very well read. She does a book club for some of us, and while I don't attend that particular book club, I've asked her to keep me on the list because she chooses such lovely readings. It dawned on me the other day to see if she's maybe heard of the poem I've been searching 14 years for. I received an email back from her today and she found my poem! Here it is!

I'd Mark With the Sunshine
If I were a teacher
I wouldn't mark in red
Because red reminds me
Of blood that
Oozes out of cuts,
And fire engines that
Rush to fight blazes
So hot you could
Die in them,
And STOP signs
That warn you of danger.

If I were a teacher,
I'd mark in yellow-
For corn muffins,
Mustard on a fat hot dog,
Gardens of dandelions
And sunbeams that
Dance on daffodils.

If I were a teacher,
I'd throw out
My STOP pen,
And I'd mark
With the sunshine itself!
To give light to an A
Warmth to a C
And hope to an F.
- Kalli Dakos