MY BEST STUDENT, OR WHISPER-GIRL

That steady hum of electricity
My squandering love on you
The weight and heft 
of your hair

(what did you expect? for us to all gather around
in front of your desk, leaning in to hear
your voice that was just barely louder
than thought?  but that is exactly what I wanted
to do).

Khmer-beautiful cheeks
Filipina nose
Chinese lips
Say things
I cannot

You love every
one
Like a mother who lost
her firstborn.
Gentle you
Making even the vilest
become him.