paleonet For those who teach . . . "Did I miss anything?"

[Stephen Schellenberg <sschelle@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Paleonetters. Given that many of you teach, I thought the 
following poem would strike close to home as you invariably encounter 
the absent students' question of "Did I miss anything?" Enjoy. - s!
______________________________

Did I Miss Anything by Tom Wayman
Originally from: The Astonishing Weight of the Dead.1994. Polestar 
press. Vancouver, BC.

Did I Miss Anything
Question frequently asked by students after missing a class.

Nothing. When we realized you weren't here
we sat with our hands folded on our desks
in silence, for the full two hours.

	Everything. I gave an exam worth
	40 per cent of the grade for this term
	and assigned some reading due today
	on which I'm about to hand out a quiz
	worth 50 per cent.

Nothing. None of the content of this course
has value or meaning
Take as many days off as you like:
any activities we undertake as a class
I assure you will not matter either to you or me
and are without purpose.

	Everything. A few minutes after we began last time
	a shaft of light descended and an angel
	or other heavenly being appeared
	and revealed to us what each woman or man must do to
	attain divine wisdom in this life and the hereafter.
	This is the last time the class will meet
	before we disperse to bring this good news to all people on earth.

Nothing. When you are not present
how could something significant occur?

	Everything. Contained in this classroom
	is a microcosm of human existence
	assembled for you to query and examine and ponder.

This is not the only place such an opportunity has been gathered
but it was one place.  And you weren't here.

-- 
Stephen A. Schellenberg
Department of Geological Sciences
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182-1020

Cell: 619.787.3217
Fax: 619.594.4372