Dr. Jerre Johnson

[joel]

“It grows by inches— dies by feet!” he’d ball
from sidewalks at the college students who
went barefoot— cutting corners— on the grass,
but he was my professor and I loved
him, cherished his respect and loved his wits,
his intellect. I tried to walk his way—
and he was easy to admire: the man’d
defend the soil on which all scholars stand—
he’d speak of its integrity. He’d play
with its ubiquity. He’d ponder its
antiquity and, lovingly, he’d proved
to me that dirt, upholding grass I pass
so easily, deserves my loving too—
and, should the dirt be loved, then why not all?

[dadio]

Love the poem, Joel.

he’d proved
to me that dirt, upholding grass I pass
so easily, deserves my loving too—
and, should the dirt be loved, then why not all?
( Fine words)

[rshreve]

nicely put

[creativesoul]

peter collier at portland state was the most enthusastic professor, and patti duncan- those days seem far away today- but it was only four years ago- nice write- loving the earth is both satisfying to you but to all of us