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No Child (Should Be) Left Behind
| Open Poetry #31 |
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No Child (Should Be) Left Behind |
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Mistletoe Angel 
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
 No Child Should Be Left Behind By: Noah Eaton 2/21/04 “Every generation revolts against its fathers, and makes friends with its grandfathers.” so if children are hamburgers and fathers conveyors, How does grandpa discern? Standardize everything, bring in the stop watches, stamp out what’s special and get the routines straight, Well, children aren’t patties freeze-dried for inspection, in this one hour photo, instant oatmeal, Wal-Mart crusade Playgrounds of opium poppies pinwale recess zone, dampened with emetics, indian summers and vasodilators, rheumatic fever is the riskiest side effect, shouting distance becomes inaudible, give us your poor, your tired and downtrodden, this is the Brand New Colossus, we’ll experiment with their minds and futures, in ways we’d never do to the rich and privileged. Respect, responsibility, report, are the three R’s I still value No child should be left behind, no child should be deep-fried No child should be left behind, no child should be deep-fried  You have no choice about choice, they say amidst the high risk ventures, through plate dinner discussions, filled with slogans, inflated promises and pseudo science they call it an act of reform, so why all the cynicism? Punishment, abandonment and privatization, preemptive strikes and regime change feel all too familiar. Speed up, you move too slow, here comes the flood, only one way to go, it washes over Madison Avenue boys like ruthenium, to the boxcar children it burns like sulfur, A flood of shock and awe, leaves the downtrodden washed up on the streets, treated and fixed like some vegetable tallow, lighting up as candles for the new radicals… Respect, responsibility, report, are the three R’s I still value No child should be left behind, no child should be deep-fried No child should be left behind, no child should be deep-fried  Helter-skelter Alka-seltzer, works of mass deception are buried here, drop-outs listed as transfers, miracle high schools whitewashing the numbers. lean diet for you, complete diet for them, A new tragedy of protein and rinderpest, where do all the heroes go, where do we stop the run of the mill? Children aren’t specimens of scientifically based research, the Pandora’s box of guinea pigs has been opened, but education is all about commitment, it is not about rhetoric “A baby is God’s proof that life should go on.”, don’t feed your child with a runcible spoon, with the leftover Stouffers solecism, don’t allow packaging over content, don’t allow packaging over content… Respect, responsibility, report, are the three R’s I still value No child should be left behind, no child should be deep-fried No child should be left behind, no child should be deep-fried . . . . (Children are the wealth of the world… . . . children are the wealth of the world… . . . teaching by learning, . . . learning by teaching, . . . . don’t leave them behind, . . . don’t leave them behind, . . . don’t leave them, , , , leave them, . . . leave them, . . . leave them, . . . behind… . . . . . . . . .  "You'll find something that's enough to keep you But if the bright lights don't receive you You should turn yourself around and come back home" MB20 |
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| © Copyright 2004 Nadia Lockheart - All Rights Reserved | |||
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
Brilliant, Noah. I totally agree.  |
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Richy Member Elite
since 2003-05-03
Posts 3050 |
You are a real champion of the coming generation, Noah How could they fail, with you on their side? Bless You Friend  |
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vandana
since 1999-10-22
Posts 10463USA |
loved this,i agree too(hugs)  |
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Youngatheart Member
since 2003-12-30
Posts 333 |
AMEN! AMEN! AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
Noah, you are strong and amazing |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
Noah, you are in a league of your own! Stellar writing! You use your talent to improve this world of ours. You are making a difference. You had endured so much in your childhood but you learned from those experiences and grew strong. Now you are a much-needed voice for the children of our global village. I am proud to call you my friend. Loves 'n hugs, Linda |
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A Romantic Heart Member Ascendant
since 1999-09-03
Posts 5496Forever In Your Heart |
Strong and powerful! I believe that children are our future....(Whitney Houston song)... I work with youth at my church...and community! My heart holds to the same beliefs...children are treasures from heaven! They teach us so much... ~love and hugs ARH  Open your eyes, open your mind, open your heart, let me come in and show you love.....~ARH |
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garysgirl
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237Florida, USA |
Another strong and powerful write from your heart, dear Noah. I really respect you for standing up for what you believe, my friend. Hugs Ethel |
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GG Member Elite
since 2002-12-03
Posts 3532Lost in thought |
I love it! And really for the most part I agree... though I'd like to say some in defense of it all... the main problem is how the bad abuse what the good need.. I'll explain... in eigth grade I went toa private school, and due to bad health I missed most of the year and couldn't pass, previously I'd been a Straight A student. The next year I started 8th grade again in a public school and after a couple month I was told I knew the info too well and so they moved me up to ninth grade. Still with bad health I missed a lot and was once again missing too much school because I had to stay in bed so much. They moved me to an alternative program where I go in for three hours a day and do most of my work at home. They don't do teaching in the class, but have one on one help.. so if I miss a day due to feeling bad, I don't have to miss the teaching. Anyway, just wanted to play some devil's advocate and tell about the good sides of it. It's the ones who take advanatge who are the problem... Loved the poem Always, Alyssa He was a man of sorrows |
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Gentle Spirit Member Patricius
since 2000-10-09
Posts 13989 |
Yes Noah, by your response at my post I can tell that you sincerely care for the children, and how could we not. They are the hope of the future, Hugs you. |
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada |
"where do all the heroes go, where do we stop the run of the mill?" Wow ... just excellent Noah! You've taken an interesting perspective here, and portrayed it in such a fascinating light. Very well done, my friend! Best wishes, /Kit |
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ice Member Elite
since 2003-05-17
Posts 3404Pennsylvania |
I hear you brother.....well thought out words, and chioce of graphics.. enjoyed _________ice ><> |
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Kethry Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-29
Posts 9082Victoria Australia |
I like the no child should be deep fried. We had a prime minister who said no child should live in poverty. Of course it still happens but the government has learned to hide it better. Very political and politically (in)correct poem this is why it has power. 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 |
Noah?  I absolutely love you for this!!I have three children. The public schools here were horrid! All they cared about was putting and keeping my children in "ESE" because they got more money....2 of my three children are or have been home schooled... I could go on forever with this subject... you are wonderful!!! |
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Endlessecho Member
since 2003-09-05
Posts 398I live within myself |
Amazing! Absolutely amazing. What a message! What a write! |
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