​Dear Radical Math Teacher,
I see your lesson plan book
Scrawled in red, black or purple
Whichever color best fits your mental state

Fatigued eyes from too-blue screens
the deluge of emails
confusion and frustration
schedules and systems built upon the brokenness of the world
the failure to recognize each other’s humanity

Somehow, you must navigate all of this
Somehow, you must subvert all of this

Always, there is lack
Always, there is more
Always, there is comparison
Always, the message
give, give, give — until you snap in two
give, give, give — until you collapse under this weight

Pause.
Observe.
Breathe.
Reflect.

And remember that in times of tumult
Full of lashing winds
The trees
that protect each other
That share
The trees
that dance and weave
that bend
in the eye of the storm
are the ones that do not break

Our interconnected roots
Whisper to us softly
I am because we are
We are because I am

A gentle reminder
A firm demand

Do not forget to take care of you
Do not forget to care for each other
This is how we win ~