Did I Miss Anything?

Tom Wayman

 

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 percent of the grade for this term

and assigned some reading due today

on which I’m about to hand out a quiz

worth 50 percent

 

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 suddenly 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 this class will meet

Before we disperse to bring the 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 experience

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