Poet of the Week: Gloria Burgess

blessing the light
after blessing the boats, by Lucille Clifton
for our young people and their teachers
may the stars
that shimmer even now
beneath the surface of our knowing
light your way
beyond the valley of fear
may you open your arms
then pull them back
assured that another’s will shelter you
from any storm may you
lift your face to the sun
sun that favors you always
and may you in your brilliance shine
a beacon for others from here to there