Written by : Marianne Williamson;
Contributed by: Margaret Sutherland
(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% of the grade for this term
and assigned some reading due today
on which I’m about to hand out a quiz
worth 50%
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 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 this 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 existence
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
