A Mentor

My third grade teacher, Miss Reed (Read)
Told my parents that I did not read at grade level
She asked them if they would be open
To having her work with me after school
So Monday through Thursday afternoons
She would sit with me patiently coaching
As I’d read many stories to her
I struggled but succeeded to finish them
She told my parents at year’s end
That I was easily up to grade level then
And even reading books well above it
Dear Miss Reed, I wish you had been here
When I received my Ph.D. in English Literature
I would have loved to thank you for all your help