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Open Poetry #31
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The Music Teacher
| Open Poetry #31 |
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The Music Teacher |
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LngJhnAg Member Elite
since 1999-07-23
Posts 3508Boot+Kitty=Poetry in motion 
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His day had been a long one, with nothing going right, He felt the world upon his shoulders as he sat alone that night. And as he'd done many times before, to find some solace there, He lifted his sax up to his lips, and let its music fill the air. With each note so sweetly played, his burden seemed to slack, Lifted from those weary shoulders as he settled back. Unconsciously, the notes came out, each sweeter than the last, As he reflected on their origin, set there in his past. He'd struggled with the arrangements, the music made no sense, Each time he tried to follow their pattern, lacking in eloquence. The saxophone was like a viper, coiled within his grasp, Fighting him as he struggled to play in her music class. The teacher patiently shared her talent with every student there, Hearing the instruments' tortured notes as they filled the air. It was a job, it paid the rent, and put food upon her plate, Each day just like the ones before, as she plied her trade. She took for granted some students would learn, and others never would, Thinking usually about the students who somehow never understood What a joy making music could be throughout their coming years, And how they could use their talent to reflect their joys and tears. The classes rolled on, one after another, through the teacher's career, The faces fading from her memory, replaced each new school year. But a few of her students made the connection between the mechanics and the joy, Taking with them the elements of the talent they could employ. The music teacher never thought about the content of future notes Those special students would play alone in their need to cope, Or play in joy to amplify the achievement of a goal, Each note comprising emotions and a piece of the teacher's soul. The students moved on in their lives, each finding their own way, Taking part of the teacher's soul she'd given each one to play. They passed along the teacher's legacy to their children and their heirs, Without the teacher realizing all she'd come to share. His music soared into the night, drifting into the dark, Each note the measure of the love gained from the teacher's heart. Neither of them realizing the notes were only there, Because the student carried the soul she had placed within his care. [This message has been edited by LngJhnAg (02-22-2004 04:12 AM).] |
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| © Copyright 2004 Michael Waterman - All Rights Reserved | |||
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
Michael, this was a nice tribute to someone who must have cared. Music is such a gift, I agree, and there are far too many unsung heroes! Sweet poem. |
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Youngatheart Member
since 2003-12-30
Posts 333 |
WHOA, Long John! I have read this over and over. What an outstanding piece of poetry. It sounds somewhat familiar to me...maybe Mr. Holland's Opus or maybe somewhere else? You have captured the essence of how special the teaching profession is and how one teacher's influence can affect the lives of so many children. For some unfortunate teachers, standing in front of a class each day is only a job. For the very lucky others, understanding how important they are in the lives of the young ones they work with day after day, year after year is their just reward. I have always heard that no teacher ever joined the field to become a millionaire. I do not believe this to be true. Any effective teacher earns that million daily when she sees the beaming face of the struggling student who has finally grasped a concept or when she wipes the tear of the child who has been teased at recess or when she is given the lone flower on Valentine's Day from the little boy who looks up at her and says "I love you." or when a former student comes back to visit just to say thank you. What a special tribute to teachers, Long John. Thank you!!!! Youngster [This message has been edited by Youngatheart (02-22-2004 10:03 PM).] |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
thank you for reminding me of my teachers (piano, choir, band, etc) in past years...and you know how I love music! awesome write! |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Ah, sailor... that talent thang of yours isn't just showing... it's giving a concert! *S* This is wonderful, my friend... sure to touch any teacher's heart... and make us remember those who might have been just cogs in our adolescent lives... whose influence lives on, making our lives better and richer. Excellent work! |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Yes! Yes...you didn't issue a hanky alert. The same could be said for the art instructor, the professor of literature...they find a way to set the tone in our bones, in some way...and then let us fly, if we so choose. I chose. So did you. Thank you! |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
LngJhn This really touched me and my memory of my piano teacher...at the time I didn't like her very much and I probably pounded those notes on purpose just to hurt her ears...but I am thankful today for the gift she knew I had. Thank you for this beautiful poem! |
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Local Rebel Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-21
Posts 5767Southern Abstentia |
I think you've stuck a major minor chord with this one Mike.. good to see you man... |
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Richy Member Elite
since 2003-05-03
Posts 3050 |
Wow, like a farmer planting seeds in the field How nice it must be to know that you have brought so much music into the world... A wonderful story LngJhn A man with a sincere heart, and a funny bone Your my kind of guy LngJhn! A gentleman's gentleman Terrific write!    |
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Grover Senior Member
since 2004-01-27
Posts 1967London, ON, Canada |
Incredibly well written... great insight, sensitive! Grover. |
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Kethry Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-29
Posts 9082Victoria Australia |
I see you have written a symphony of sympathy and I think the angels have joined in. What an amazing talent you have. Here in the midst of my lonely abyss, a single joy I find...your presence in my mind. Unknown |
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Susan Caldwell Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348Florida |
Very sweet. |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
You realize, of course, I was remiss in not telling you that my music teacher was my mother...  |
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tavern wench Junior Member
since 2004-01-11
Posts 44 |
The students moved on in their lives, each finding their own way, Taking part of the teacher's soul she'd given each one to play. They passed along the teacher's legacy to their children and their heirs, Without the teacher realizing all she'd come to share. His music soared into the night, drifting into the dark, Each note the measure of the love gained from the teacher's heart. Neither of them realizing the notes were only there, Because the student carried the soul she had placed within his care. You are a fantastic writer. I really like these two parts. |
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Sunnyone Member Ascendant
since 2000-07-06
Posts 5334Staffordshire, England |
Actually - Its not Sunnyone, its John 'The Music Maker' who is too blinking lazy to log in !!! What a fantastic piece of work. I relate to this, as a music teacher, both to the masses in large classes as a schoolmaster, and to individual Pupils. Until this work, I had never looked at things this way - if you are right, I am a proud man!!!!! Thank you. John |
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Nightshade
since 2001-08-31
Posts 13962just out of reach |
Oh, my goodness, what a lovely piece of writing this is! Library bound!! hugs, Chris "At one glance |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Very excellent writing here, Mike....well done!  |
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Bonnie j Senior Member
since 2003-06-27
Posts 1588Ohio |
My son took music in school and never regretted the joy he has had all these years. He now plays drums, guitar and writes music. In school the violin. Now LongJohn on to more serious business. I wrote on these pages of blue and folks tell me it's you. Please have a look see and tell me is this you? " TALL TALES AND SAILIN' MEN." I didn't know you had a wooden peg for a leg. See Ya Bon-Bon  |
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