I feel the crunch under my teeth,

the initial acidity overwhelming my taste buds 

just like their voices overpowered mine in that meeting, when they said

no

to more funding for our inner city, under resourced

public school 

because those black and brown kids won’t learn anyway

then suddenly the acidity gives way

to sweetness,

the same sweetness I feel 

when the spark of understanding lights up my students’ eyes 

their joy and pride overpowering their frustration 

like sunlight flooding a dark room, like the bright shine

of the smooth red apple they gave me, timidly,

for teacher appreciation week. 

I swallow hard,

its bittersweetness lingering in my mouth 

and in my mind

a powerful reminder of who a teacher can be