The Solitary Teacher

 This is the time of online classes. As I wrapped up my class today and sat alone in the classroom, I was struck by melancholy.

"The Solitary Teacher"-I thought; and that brought into my mind, the famous poem-"The Solitary Reaper" by William Wordsworth.
Paying obeisance to him, I penned down my thoughts along the lines of my favourite poem by the nature poet.

The Solitary Teacher

Behold her, single in the class,
Yon solitary Manipal lass!
Speaking and explaining by herself;
On pressure, volume, energy and mass.
Alone she lectures and asks a question,
And derives a lengthy equation;
O listen! for the room around
Is overflowing with her sound.

Does anyone know what she says? -
Perhaps theorems of some scientist bygone;
Boltzmann, Einstein or Planck's essays
All masters from an era long gone.
Or is it some more wonted topic,
Pressing matters of the day?
Sharing concerns of this pandemic;
That has taken many a prey.

Whatever the topic, the teacher spoke
As if her discourse would have no ending;
You see her "online" at work,
And o'er the laptop, bending.
They listened faceless, far away;
As they logged off, she calls it a day.
Their faces in her heart she bore,
Long after their voices were heard no more.