My Teacher

In commemoration of my teacher, who I recently found out had passed away of cancer this spring, I wrote this. You were my light Amy Fortune, and I'll never forget what you have done for me. 

I dreamed about fencing. I faced against my teacher and smiled because it was an opponent I know well. Back and forth we paced. I lunged, she counter attacked. Our swords clanged and flashed as our feet danced. I flèche, she twirls. On goes our dance. The strip on which we stand becomes our world. I learn from her. Her ways, her moves. I strike for her weaknesses and she marks mine. Finally our duet comes to a close. We unmask ourselves and I see her face aglow. We shake hands and as we walk to the end of the strip, I turn to her to say one thing more. But she was already gone from me.