The Teacher

[Pendragon]

The Teacher

Somebody asked me a little while back,
To teach them the tricks of the trade.
“I try to write poetry, but there’s something I lack.
Can you show me how to really make the grade?”
I said,” I can show you about rhythm and rhyme,
I can teach you how you must set up any form.
Foot and meter can be taught also; it’s like keeping time,
To the beat of a drum or the notes of a musical score.
But you can learn all of this and can learn it quite well,
And set down at the writing desk with a picture in mind.
When your words paint your heaven it turns out like hell—
And you stare at your own misbegotten lines:
I can show you the doorway, but you cannot walk through with me:
The truth is, dear student, no one can ever teach you true poetry…"

Pendragon
© 9/2/07

[TheFifthElement]

How true Pen, poetry is something you find for yourself, but it's good to have someone to guide you along the way (kind of like a spirit guide huh?). A lovely poem, thank you for sharing in the many ways that you do.

[Helen Clancy]

The Teacher

Somebody asked me a little while back,
To teach them the tricks of the trade.
“I try to write poetry, but there’s something I lack.
Can you show me how to really make the grade?”
I said,” I can show you about rhythm and rhyme,
I can teach you how you must set up any form.
Foot and meter can be taught also; it’s like keeping time,
To the beat of a drum or the notes of a musical score.
But you can learn all of this and can learn it quite well,
And set down at the writing desk with a picture in mind.
When your words paint your heaven it turns out like hell—
And you stare at your own misbegotten lines:
I can show you the doorway, but you cannot walk through with me:
The truth is, dear student, no one can ever teach you true poetry…"

Pendragon
© 9/2/07

Hi,
I like this poem, I think it has a good rhythmn, apart from the bits that I have highlighted - which could have if changed slightly eg: if you took out really in line 4.
Otherwise, I think it works really well.

[CdnReader]

This is very nice, Pen.... and so true. Thanks! :)

[ampoule]

I like your poem Pen. I love coming here for the challenge of learning and using different forms of poetry but inside I want to be a wild red horse that cannot be harnessed. I want that freedom to splash things on a page and then trample it or eat it or let it lie. I have found some wonderful mentors here and I thank all of you!!

[gothic]

Pen,your poem reminded me of someone once telling me that you could write on anything.I have no doubt about that anymore.Because the subject of this piece of writing makes me dubious whether I would or could write on something so obvious.It was a good attempt and I think you really worth the compliment.

[dibyendra]

The Teacher

Somebody asked me a little while back,
To teach them the tricks of the trade.
“I try to write poetry, but there’s something I lack.
Can you show me how to really make the grade?”
I said,” I can show you about rhythm and rhyme,
I can teach you how you must set up any form.
Foot and meter can be taught also; it’s like keeping time,
To the beat of a drum or the notes of a musical score.
But you can learn all of this and can learn it quite well,
And set down at the writing desk with a picture in mind.
When your words paint your heaven it turns out like hell—
And you stare at your own misbegotten lines:
I can show you the doorway, but you cannot walk through with me:
The truth is, dear student, no one can ever teach you true poetry…"

Pendragon
© 9/2/07

That was wonderful poem from you Pen ! It's really true that one cannot teach other a true poetry but only can show the doorway to the student. I also joined in this forum as a student and you have been a teacher all along the way. Thank you for sharing this one Pen !

Dibyendra

[Pendragon]

Hi,
I like this poem, I think it has a good rhythmn, apart from the bits that I have highlighted - which could have if changed slightly eg: if you took out really in line 4.
Otherwise, I think it works really well.Well, Helen, perhaps you are correct. I made adjustments and see what you think:

The Teacher

Somebody asked me a little while back,
To teach them the tricks of the trade.
“I try to write poetry, but there’s something I lack.
Can you show me how to make the grade?”
I said,” I can show you about rhythm and rhyme,
I can show you how you to set up any form.
Foot and meter can be taught; it’s like keeping time,
To the beat of a drum or the notes of a musical score.
But you can learn all of this and can learn it quite well,
And set down at the writing desk with a picture in mind.
When your words paint your heaven it turns out like hell—
And you stare at your own misbegotten lines:
I can show you the doorway, but you cannot walk through with me:
The truth is, dear student, no one can ever teach you true poetry…"

Pendragon
© 9/2/07

[Pensive]

Very nice, Pen! I have liked it very much. This is my favourite part:

When your words paint your heaven it turns out like hell—
And you stare at your own misbegotten lines:

[white camellia]

I can show you the doorway, but you cannot walk through with me:
The truth is, dear student, no one can ever teach you true poetry...

To learn true poetry, one must walk alone?

[NikolaiI]

It's a nice poem, Pen, but I have to disagree with it's message...maybe there are some people you can't teach poetry, but on the other end there are some that need no being taught. For the rest, reading poetry is a good way to learn about it, the beauty of words, lines, images, all of that, and other things we can't explain; and writing it is a very, very good way to understand what you're reading, and the only way to improve writing...I mean, I just think you can teach almost anyone, just by having them read and write poetry. Of course, if they don't want to learn, you can't, but you say this person wants to. Anyway I did like your poem! :)

[Pendragon]

I can show you the doorway, but you cannot walk through with me:
The truth is, dear student, no one can ever teach you true poetry...

To learn true poetry, one must walk alone?Your own poetic voice, yes. You will understand animal totems, Camellia. One finds his or her own, another may say "You have the look of a Eagle.", but that doesn't give one the characteristics of the totem. I am a Cougar; none told me that, it was my own spirit that always drew me to them.

I can teach you poetry, but I cannot teach you to find your poetic voice any more than the most gifted artist can give you a unique style. That comes from within. Music is much the same, you can learn to play but making it an art comes from the person.