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Open Poetry #22
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serenity blaze
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since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738


0 posted 2002-10-05 09:15 PM


I was tested as a child
to measure stuff within my brain--
a quotient of intelligence--
and logic was the game.

They said that it would help to know
what they should try to teach--
and oh they heaped upon the praise
when the quotient came--143!

Today I took a test again
but methinks something's amiss.
I tested at 132--
yes, ignorance is bliss.

I wondered where potential went--
which bad habits ate at brain.
I started to remember things--
then stopped because it caused me pain.

I had a realization then
that gave me quite a start--
ever since I took that test
I hated the word "smart."

A little rebel in me grew--
I hated being tagged a freak.
Ever since I took that test?
I gloried in stupidity.



© Copyright 2002 serenity blaze - All Rights Reserved
Kielo
Senior Member
since 2002-02-11
Posts 1109

1 posted 2002-10-05 09:20 PM


I started to remember things--
then stopped because it caused me pain.

Wow. As usual, I enjoyed your writing (and that was an understatement). However, I'm going to disagree with ignorance being bliss. Personally, I find that ignorance begets pain. Then, that's me, and I think I've always been a little different.

Again, enjoyed!

Kielo

I need to change my signature. :D

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

2 posted 2002-10-05 09:26 PM


Ki? I changed that line several times, but settled on that one, as it referred to the quotient of my measured intelligence as being something I really didn't need to know as a child.

I did allow my son to be tested (he tested MUCH higher than I ever did) under the condition that he not know what the test was for, and never be told the outcome.

Really, there ARE somethings we don't need to know....hugs you...yer a doll..yanno that?

--edited because? bad habits eat at brain

[This message has been edited by serenity blaze (10-06-2002 01:59 PM).]

Kielo
Senior Member
since 2002-02-11
Posts 1109

3 posted 2002-10-05 09:32 PM


Thanks. As long as we're being honest, I'd have to say that I admire you more than any other person on the site. I'm going to hide now.

Kielo

Martie
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since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
4 posted 2002-10-05 09:46 PM


serenity

I could have found out the results of the IQ test I took in high school...but I was either afraid to find out I was stupid or smart.  Enjoy being a non number.  Besides, human potential is measureless.  Right?

Enjoyed your poem!

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

5 posted 2002-10-05 09:54 PM


Thank Martie...was exactly my point--and the I.Q. test has no measure of wisdom--it doesn't test things like knowing that if you are making the kids a jug of kool-aid? it's easier to just pour the kool aid on top of the sugar instead of funneling in it separately, and? it's also easier to mix if you only fill the jug halfway with water first, then add the rest...

Hell, Einstein couldn't find his way home--for 25 years at the same address!

I don't set much store by them...

bsquirrel
Deputy Moderator 5 Tours
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-01-03
Posts 7855

6 posted 2002-10-06 03:06 AM


I'm not even gonna tell you how low I tested! (it was in the 98 percentile, but oof ...)

Exactly -- it don't matter.

FreakyMike

Christopher
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Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296
Purgatorial Incarceration
7 posted 2002-10-06 03:34 AM


rofl! you're too cute KAREN.

me - well, i won't tell ya, but it satisfied my ego.

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

8 posted 2002-10-06 03:45 AM


well then, C? you KNOW, doncha?

"tagged a freak"

it's inverse psychology, doncha think?

Christopher
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296
Purgatorial Incarceration
9 posted 2002-10-06 03:56 AM


ah yes... but Karen - i like being a freak.
garysgirl
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Laureate
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237
Florida, USA
10 posted 2002-10-06 04:00 AM


Serenity, I liked your poem. I fully understand it. I never wanted to be an
"egg-head"  in school, so my Mom was always being told that I wasn't  "doing work that was up to my potential". Besides, lots of times a person who is a genius has absolutely  N-O  common sense.....the kind of smarts it takes to live and survive in this life. I enjoy reading your ideas on things. Thanks for sharing with us.
Love, Ethel

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

11 posted 2002-10-06 04:07 AM


thanks all...gg? certainly.

but..C?

I say...we get some nice dry staw--it's pleasing to the customers when the caged one growls---with winks---izzit not? C?


ooops...backspacing already--you win.

brian sites
Senior Member
since 2002-06-25
Posts 1475
usa
12 posted 2002-10-06 11:48 AM


I'm Forrest
ForrestGump

Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley
13 posted 2002-10-06 12:18 PM


I don't think 'smart' can be measured nor do I think it should be measured. What difference does it make in life? You can't measure a person's compassion quotient or love quotient or 'heart' quotient and without these you can't use your smart wisely.
serenity blaze
Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

14 posted 2002-10-06 12:18 PM


Run...Forrest...naw...

life is like...

wan't some candy baby?

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

15 posted 2002-10-06 12:20 PM


wow...where'd YOU come from? *snort*

I thought I left ya in anudder forum! heh heh

mornin' Sharon!

Krawdad
Member Elite
since 2001-01-03
Posts 2597

16 posted 2002-10-06 01:44 PM


Never took that test.  I think somebody else was afraid of the results.
But hey, tests are all about finding what you are looking for, not about finding anything else.

"Grab a pen, grab some paper, do yourself a little favor."    e

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

17 posted 2002-10-06 02:06 PM


and an aside to Christopher---I am quite curious now to know what you scored--not because I am impressed by such, but because, I'd like to compare to my son's--BECAUSE, as y'know, ya'll share the same birthdate! well...of course not the year...but I woefully admit, "coulda been"

and hey Krawdad baby! thanks for popping in...missed ya lovie!

wranx
Member Elite
since 2002-06-07
Posts 3689
Moved from a shack to a barn
18 posted 2002-10-06 09:18 PM


Huh?
Tim
Senior Member
since 1999-06-08
Posts 1794

19 posted 2002-10-06 10:47 PM


Once I took an IQ test,
I tested better than the rest,
The teachers said to skip a grade,
That with my brain I'd have it made.
I said no, I'll tell you why,
I had no want at ten to die,
My older sister was age eleven,
She told me I would go to heaven,
If I joined her in her class,
So I got dumb to save my asp.

In the days of old, they didn't have gifted classes, so I was selected the high honor to skip a grade.  My older sister said she would kick the living bejeebers out of me if I was in her class.  I immediately became a C student.  Have no idea what my IQ is, have no desire to, and on my grave they can inscribe, Here lies Tim
          His light was dim.
          

AniKay83
Member
since 2000-06-28
Posts 388
Missing Since 1999
20 posted 2002-10-06 11:01 PM


I wondered where potential went--
which bad habits ate at brain.
I started to remember things--
then stopped because it caused me pain
=============================================
Maybe the smart part doesn't describe me but these few lines I can definately identify with. Good read and a good choice (in my humble opinion) not letting your son know about the test or the results. It's good to encourage your children, but also good to let them be children. I should know- I still am one.

"No one has ever loved ~anyone~ the way ~everyone~ wants to be loved"
~Mignon McLaughlin~

Kielo
Senior Member
since 2002-02-11
Posts 1109

21 posted 2002-10-06 11:06 PM


*nods* That much I know. Let your kids be kids, because not being one leads to being someone like me. *shudders* I wouldn't wish that on anyone. Ok, I'm pleasant again.

Kielo

I need to change my signature. :D

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