To Teach to Be

As allied with poetry, with all his work, publications, and awards, Barry Spacks once told me that it was as a teacher that he would like to be remembered. And as immeasurable as stars in night skies, or sparks given off by flames, I think that he will. He taught, and he taught by being. Who could not learn from his welcoming ways? His generosity of time and guidance, whether you were a friend or someone who was not yet a friend, or someone who just saw how he proceeded in this world of humans. To think there is no more Barry is so painful. But there can be more Barry if I, if we, merely emulate his ways. This is what gives me comfort.