Mitch Masters

Intimidated and inspired by all of this, I hope to share some stories, some advice, and I will share more than you probably want to hear about my recent obsession with the word “perhaps.”

You grew up right before my eyes. I have known one of you since literally the moment you were born, a couple more just a few years later, another one of you since preschool, many of you since kindergarten, and almost all of you since the fifth and sixth grade. We have some history.

You are the class that said “yes.” You got to fifth grade, and every time there was a new challenge, you embraced it. Challenges became opportunities with you. You unabashedly went for it. It was awesome. Awesome enough that when the chance to stay with you in sixth grade came along, I knew this was a once-in-a-lifetime deal. If I was going to be trying new things, branching out, being brave, I would be trying those new things with people who I knew would be willing to try with me. You gave me courage. If I felt that I knew you before, that second year together cemented you in my heart. And now I see you from my classroom window, almost unrecognizably tall, as you lope slowly across the Cranmer Savannah. I am proud of you.

Some advice. Read more poems. At the very least, read ALL the poems that you are assigned in school. They are assigning that stuff for a reason, and it is not to punish you. This “human condition” that we find ourselves in can be tricky and scary to navigate. And yet, we have poets. People who have gone before us and lived and cried and dreamed and loved and been so brave that they put those feelings down in words. Read their words. It will help you understand other people and help you to understand yourself. Parents, some advice, too. Share your favorite poem with your kids. And if you don’t have a favorite poem, it's time...

Finally, finally, we come to my obsession with the word “perhaps.” I think this word has a certain… uncertainty to it. It is a much better word than “maybe.” I can only think of one time when maybe is better than perhaps; “here’s my number, so perhaps you could call me” That wouldn’t have been a hit. Still, ”maybe” stinks. But, “perhaps” goes so far, far beyond maybe. 

It allows us to see possibilities in ourselves, as in “perhaps I could do something about that” or “If I give this a try, perhaps good things will happen.” 

“Perhaps” doesn’t dismiss ideas before you have a chance to look a little deeper. We could use a few extra “perhaps-s’” to buy ourselves some time to examine our situations and take the time to gather more information. As in, “perhaps I can look into that.” “Perhaps there is more to the story.” 

It’s not a “yes,” but more powerfully, “perhaps” is not a “no.” 

“Perhaps” isn’t afraid to be wrong; it just knows that things might not go according to plan, and it wants us to be open to that possibility. I’m not suggesting that we add perhaps to our collective vocabulary and allow ourselves to become wishy-washy. Far from that, I think that adding a more “perhaps” attitude will allow us to open more doors and not get so locked in on one idea that we can’t see that other things are out there, as in “Perhaps there is a better way to do this.” “Perhaps I just need some more time.” “Perhaps I don’t have all the answers.”

“Perhaps” may allow us to be brave enough to seek change and continue to say yes to things. 

“Perhaps” allows us to explore. You can hear it in statements like: “Perhaps that opinion or idea works in another context.” or “Perhaps I need to look at this from a different perspective.” 

Adding more perhaps can’t hurt your life. I can see the rumblings in the crowd. I know what you are thinking: Mr. Masters is anti-certainty. Far from it! I love the occasional “certainty.” But please sprinkle those things around with care. Use your certainties wisely.

“Perhaps” may allow us to overcome our fears, to truly... Be Not Afraid. You might think it is a bad idea to put your heart out there because it might get smooshed. Perhaps it might. But I am here to tell you, don’t be afraid to put your heart out there. Let the people you love know that you love them. Perhaps our love is the best gift we can give the world.

Most importantly, “Perhaps” may allow us to overcome the uncertainties that life seems so determined to keep throwing at us, over and over again. 

“Perhaps” clearly does NOT come with a guarantee. But that is okay. You can keep working, you can keep struggling, and I believe that great things will come our way.

So get out there. Keep saying yes to new things. Live your best life.

Perhaps you will do great things.

Read more poems.

Thank you.

Love that boy,

like a rabbit loves to run

I said I love that boy

like a rabbit loves to run

Love to call him in the morning

love to call him

'Hey there, son!'

He walk like his Grandpa,

Grins like his Uncle Ben.

I said he walk like his Grandpa,

And grins like his Uncle Ben.

Grins when he's happy,

When he sad, he grins again.

His mama like to hold him,

Like to feed him cherry pie.

I said his mama like to hold him.

Like to feed him that cherry pie.

She can have him now,

I'll get him by and by

He got long roads to walk down

Before the setting sun.

I said he got a long, long road to walk down

Before the setting sun.

He'll be a long stride walker,

And a good man before he done.