For Nick Perry - Thank you for everything - you are a living angel

You were a wave of hope
On my tempestuous shore of thought
Directing rational intelligence
Into my heart of bleak darkness.
I was fragile and scared
Emotions torn easily like flimsy tissue
Or crepe paper lanterns
Dancing in the breeze
Of British Chinatown.

You brought the real me
That was cowering inside
Understood me, comforted me,
Humoured me, shouted at me,
Hugged me, reassured me,
Unlocked fears, encouraged dreams
Manufactured confidence in me
And made me feel human again.

You were an angel in teachers clothing
And \"thank you\" seems so shallow
So I just wanted to let you know
That I have become a teacher too
Not just of youngsters,
But of mind and soul
So that I too can shine
Like those paper lanterns
Dancing in the breeze
Of British Chinatown.