I hope my students never fully know.

My bouquet
of beliefs
may set on my 
teacher’s desk, 
for all to notice,
in front of where I
plan my lessons and
confer with scholars,
where it brightens my
day and eases my
stress with the beauty of
its unique blossoms 
and verdure.

But it is not 
yours,
dear students. 

Oh, you may admire its
appearance, how
nicely the crystal
vase helps the stems
stand tall and straight 
or lean slightly 
left
or right, 
creating a delightful harmony 
of ideas, colors, and shapes.
You may think you 
know what
inspired their 
arrangement,
which varieties are included, 
the showiest of the 
bunch directly in the center,
and the complementary varieties
adding accents or filling
in the empty places.

But you don’t.

You may even inhale its unique
fragrance, an intoxicating 
blend of herbs 
and flowers,
leaves and twigs that
infuse our soothing and
peaceful place to learn, 
but you can 
never name all its sources,
for there have been so many.

And you shouldn’t.

The secrets of its
composition are mine 
to keep,
its contrasts and emphasis 
mine alone
to know, to remember, or
to regret.
Not to impose on you.

No, you must create 
your own bouquet, not
replicate mine.
Nor anyone else’s.

How could you?

Many posies in my bouquet
have no guarantee
of longevity. They are
not dried or frozen, 
silk or plastic. They began 
in life and are
constantly changing.
As they droop,
some will be refreshed
by others of their kind, 
perhaps a different color
shade, or size.
Others will retain their shape
and intensity with age,
hardening into sturdy
beauties that will never 
be discarded.
A few will be removed altogether 
when they wilt, or 
when I notice 
they have withered.

And just as I must tend my 
bouquet of beliefs, dear students,
so must you,
assembled by your
own experiences, understanding, 
and revelation.

Be attentive to the bouquet 
that rests in your space and 
reflects your
beliefs to others.

Gather and trim your blossoms 
and foliage with a hand 
reaching for Truth, 
not merely fad, 
and replace them as 
you are guided 
by wisdom
and true compassion.