Two Words
Because I was a coward, I was silent.
I feared my own voice.
as long as remained silent, I would be shown mercy.
there's a small difference between cowardice and complacency.
The only thing that separates the two is the geography of the letters.
so I stood by and said nothing as they mocked you, cruelly, when your only crime was expecting nothing short of excellence.
you gave your time, you paid your debts, freely, willingly,
and in return every last damn one of them had nothing to say. Too stupid to be kind, too cruel to feel shame.
And I said nothing. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.
but I just want you to know that one of your students gave a damn.
you made a difference. You gave me the gift I had denied myself for so long: pride.
so now that I have courage, I'll say what I could never say to you before Teacher, because I lacked the decency and honesty.
thank you, teacher.
Thank you for saving my life.