I left a tenured position
Black Woman
Tenured
In an American
Institution of
Higher Education
I left without another job
To which to go
Does that tell
You anything
About toxicity
About racism
About sexism
About being the “only one”
In 2013 at a “liberal”
Institution
I left of my own free will
I couldn’t have
Another hive outbreak
Another breakthrough migraine
Another panic attack
Another asthma attack
Waiting to enter a classroom
With no support
Accused of knowing nothing
After years of study
Years of being questioned
By students, arrogant, nasty
Wondering whether my degree
Amounted to anything
I left, with no job
To save my life
If I could
Prepared to flip
Hamburgers
Or live under a bridge
Anything but teach
And, I love to teach
Does that tell you
Anything?
Valerie Bridgeman
© August 12, 2013
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