The Residence Assistant on my dorm’s eleventh floor
Is just the sort of person whom to know is to want more.
A few days with his floor mates and he’s turned them into friends.
The warm and ringing laughter at his table never ends.
Too busy for a movie night, too busy for a walk,
Too busy for a book but not, thank god, to eat and talk.
So busy with your duties, you have all of our respect,
But please take care of you first, and the world around you next.
The lamplight on your hair is all it takes to bring a smile.
Beside those bright green sneakers, one might walk a thousand miles.
Please don’t forget when fog rolls in and stress keeps rising higher
That on this campus, you have at least one
Secret Admirer.
—Dal student
This article appears in Sep 11-17, 2014.