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 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 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 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 
the 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.

    T. Wayman,  (1993). Selected poems 1973-1993.
               Vancouver, BC: Harbour Publishing.