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Open Poetry #4
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Poet deVine
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since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley

0 posted 1999-11-12 12:26 PM



Glancing up as you began speaking
I was struck by the tone of your voice
The words, certainly, held conviction
It was clear you spoke by choice

Your eyes held a passionate fire
For the subject of which you spoke
Transfixed and transpired, I felt
The mood you tried to evoke

Coughs and sudden shifts of boredom
Interrupted your speech to the class
But steadily you maintained your course
With only one sip from your water glass

When it was done, we were dismissed
But I, entranced, remained
Watching you gather your scholar’s things
My admiration for you unfeigned

You glanced at me as you left the room
I smiled and nodded my head
Hoping you’d understand the words
That between us continue unsaid.

I never forgot your lecture, sir.
As I followed in the path you chose
Like you, I became a teacher,
Of eighteenth century poetry and prose.

© Copyright 1999 Poet deVine - All Rights Reserved
hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA
1 posted 1999-11-12 12:45 PM


PDV......absolutely wonderful. What an ode to an teacher that has definately impacted your life

------------------
Alis volat propriis
(She flies with her own wings)

Poet deVine
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Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley
2 posted 1999-11-12 01:00 PM


Alas, it's all from a dream..I didn't have a teacher that inspired me, nor did I become a teacher. If I had the former, I most certainly would be the latter. In my school, it was football and science that got the accolades..poor unknown poets such as I were left to fend for themselves in a poorly stocked library!

suthern
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since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
3 posted 1999-11-12 01:09 PM


PDV: Great poem! This is a great tribute to the remarkable people who are gifted not just to teach, but to touch.
Kenneth Ray Taylor
Member
since 1999-11-11
Posts 139
Duluth, Minnesota, USA
4 posted 1999-11-12 01:58 PM


I'm amused. Your teacher sounded too good to be true--and guess what, he is. But you fooled me. Therefore, you are a good writer of fiction. Me, I haven't the imagination to write fiction. I'm afraid my poems are so autobiographical that they get me in trouble.
Balladeer
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since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
5 posted 1999-11-12 02:07 PM


I think few things affect the direction of a child more than teachers. They are SO important and should be treated with the utmost dignity and respect (all except for Professor Toerag, of course)

Good poem, deVine one.

Martie
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since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
6 posted 1999-11-12 02:24 PM


Sometimes our dreams are better then the real thing. You are a super poet though, that's not a dream.
Toerag
Member Ascendant
since 1999-07-29
Posts 5622
Ala bam a
7 posted 1999-11-12 02:33 PM


Balladeer? But....but,...I strive to "touch" yanno?....(You should see some of these college students....females..man...females)
Andrew Scott
Member Elite
since 1999-06-24
Posts 2558
Redlands,CA,USA
8 posted 1999-11-12 06:36 PM



Ms DeVine: Thought about being a teacher many times but didn't want to get caught in all the red tape, politics and bureaucracy that goes along with the job now-a-days. Right now I'm happy volunteering in my daughter's kindergarten class. This was a nice tribute to those who get so little appreciation. Thanks for sharing.

Denise
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Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

9 posted 1999-11-12 08:29 PM


Beautiful writing, PdV! Very beautiful! I felt that I was sitting in that classroom!

------------------
Denise


Mystic Essence
Junior Member
since 1999-09-29
Posts 28

10 posted 1999-11-12 09:53 PM


This is wonderful..I too wish to become a teacher and I understand the feelings in this poem as well...great work!

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My tears are but a glimpse into the fiery tempest of my soul.~© Althea Willow, 1999~

Poet deVine
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since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley
11 posted 1999-11-12 10:19 PM


Thank you all for your kind words.

Systematic Decay
Senior Member
since 1999-09-15
Posts 1301
That place with padded walls and funny people in white.........
12 posted 1999-11-12 10:32 PM


Very descriptive, I felt as though I was right there in the class. Nice.

------------------
Thinking is just what a great many people think they are doing when they are merely rearranging their predjudices.



Marge Tindal
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since 1999-11-06
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Florida's Foreverly Shores
13 posted 1999-11-12 10:33 PM


Poet deVine, you touched the heartstrings of this mom with this one. GREAT TRIBUTE !

Two of my children are school teachers. My daughter teaches special needs children and one of my sons teaches fourth graders. The impact they have on children reminds me of the respect I always maintained for the teachers in my life.
In all my years of learning, I knew when the teacher touched my soul with a challenge.

While they could still hear the words, I thanked Miss KIng, Mr. Talton, Mr. Pearce and Mr. Beachum. These wonderful teachers left a lasting impression on me ... I hope I did on them.
Thank you for 'hugging' the teachers in my life.

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~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~
noles1@totcon.com

Nan
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since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
14 posted 1999-11-12 11:10 PM


A wonderful work, PdV -
This actually has been an extraordinary week for me, so I appreciate your poem more than you know.
I "ran the gamut" - so to speak... I began my week having to watch a child get away with calling his mother the most grotesque of four letter words - and ended it on a different note.
A wonderfully charming young man handed me a beautifully crafted origami swan (which he made in class, of course) - bearing a note which apologized for any aggravation his "talking in class" may have caused me..... Go figure!! (I'll be keeping it for posterity)...
Thanks PdV - It's nice to be appreciated ...

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