By Catherine Payne

By saying “Let’s start peer review,”

I conjured fears my students knew.

When a shadow entered the room,

The young writers shivered in gloom.

Knowing this specter from my past,

I said his visit wouldn’t last.

Seeing a pall fall over them,

I did exhort, “Polish each gem!”

Students traded drafts and glances.

Were they ready to take chances? 

Once they cast their egos aside,

Steady progress bypassed stalled pride.

No margin of a page was bare.

They forgot the specter was there.

A ripple of relief swept through.

Turning, the figure bid adieu.