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Publication details: Fergus Barrowman, 2013, Wellington

Part of: Sport

Sport 39: 2011

I shall sit writing through the afternoon
poems in English, English attempts
but a phrase and a story come from French.

My French friend’s daughter in her class
sensed the teacher hover near her shoulder
and quietly say while touching a finger

to the current exercise, the current open page
‘Merci d’exister.’ Just a phrase
too compressed for a beginner

to understand its import but enough
to raise a blush that would recur
whenever it was remembered. Thank you

for existing. I can’t imagine it in English
or quite translate it. For being here, for bringing
happiness to my teaching, my reason for existing.