In Taylor Mali's poetry, the notion that teaching doesn't require a classroom, nor being a teacher to impart wisdom, is explored with wit and clarity. Through entertaining and straightforward verses, Mali delves into the language of love and the love of language, showcasing the timeless truth that "He who dares to teach must never cease to learn." In the pages of The Last Time as We Are, the reader is invited to discover profound lessons that transcend traditional boundaries of education and touch the essence of human connection.