A thankful Salute on Teachers’ Day

Teacher Number One was my mom

Teacher Two-- my dad remains one still, RIP

Teacher Three-- my friends, past and present

Teacher Four -- my tutors at school long ago

Teacher Five -- societies I live in at present

Teacher Six – films mainstream and offbeat

Teacher Seven-- the print media, off and online

Teacher Eight -- internet including Google, et al.

Teacher Nine -- dear spouse

Teacher Ten -- loving progeny

Teacher Eleven -- my daily prayers to God/s

And Teacher Twelve -- the fires those happened,

The deadliest of all— much more effective’

All of whom I salute on this Teachers’ Day,

Finally, being a teacher in some of those respects

Including one in my late profession,

Pardon I beg, if I couldn’t deliver

The light, fire or warmth myself.