City of Legends

Those of you who have read the pages about me in the Appalachian Educational Initiative’s "Art and Soul" volume know that I included a tribute (an essay, not a poem) to the only Creative Writing teacher I ever had, Mary Tomasky. She was the CW and Art teacher at Morgantown Junior High School when I attended there, and our relationship was stormy, mostly because she didn;t let me get lazy,

She never really understood the level of impact she had on me as a writer until years later, when I was selected into that volume and wrote of her influence. I am at my best when challenged. I am smart enough and talented enough that I can "get by", and being human, sometimes that’s exactly what I try to do. She recognized this and kicked my butt around the table when I gave her less than everything in my poetry or fiction.

She has had more than her fair share of personal tragedy in her life, and I won’t go into that here, but when I think of my most crashingly bad day and how hard it was to rise again, I recognize in her someone who exemplifies the human spirit.

This is for her.

to my teacher

lessons learned, burned into my soul
kind intentions, a steady hand to guide
and the ability to take great pride in what comes from the effort

I am, in part, made of your will
in forcing me, in time, to face
that which in me gives grace to the random gifts I sport

you did your Maker justice
who did give you the will to reach,
to teach me and countless others, lessons of life’s report

William F. DeVault. all rights reserved.