Safe space

Tears

But you can’t see them.

Maybe you feel them, though

In my forced smile

In my eyes

Teacher to student, but you’ve never made it feel like that

You’ve always made us feel like equals

Like I could tell you anything without judgment

Like you were a safe space.

You not only taught me everything I know about music and my instrument

But also life

What to do, what not to do

“Pro tips”.

I lean into your hug.

It’s tight,

Firm,

A little squeezy

But it feels good.

You rub my back and my head

And it’s enough to snap me back to reality

Pull me back into myself.

Thank you for trying so hard for us,

For all of us,

For me.

It means the world.

Thank you for understanding me

And for always supporting me

Through middle school.

Thank you so much.