MartinB
12-13-2015, 05:29 PM
When the last bell…
Rings of purple tiredness under eyes
from late-night working
and caring. Not over
until the last board….
Wiped tears from under reddened eyes
where care has etched
deep lines. Not over
until the last chair…
Stacked high with books and papers
full of coiled ideas and fluttering
understanding. Not over
until the last book…
Marked by the smiles of students,
the tears of students, the lives
of students. Not over
until the last child….
Schooled by a life in schooling,
taught by a life of teaching,
loved from a life of loving.
Not over while the last...
Facts spark in the minds and
words nestle in the hearts and
memories glint and sparkle still.
Teaching is not, nor ever, over.
So, the story goes that a great teacher of many years (having earned the title 'Legend' in the school) is leaving the profession like so many others in the uk. I was thinking about how we respond to the early loss of experienced, valued and beloved educators. The truncated verses speak of the lost-ness to the profession. The leapfrogging verses are a little stylistic thing I came up with myself, but have probably seen somewhere before and absorbed subconsciously. I really want help with any rhythmic inconsistencies and word-replacement where it doesn't quite click for the reader.
Any ideas appreciated.
Thanks
Rings of purple tiredness under eyes
from late-night working
and caring. Not over
until the last board….
Wiped tears from under reddened eyes
where care has etched
deep lines. Not over
until the last chair…
Stacked high with books and papers
full of coiled ideas and fluttering
understanding. Not over
until the last book…
Marked by the smiles of students,
the tears of students, the lives
of students. Not over
until the last child….
Schooled by a life in schooling,
taught by a life of teaching,
loved from a life of loving.
Not over while the last...
Facts spark in the minds and
words nestle in the hearts and
memories glint and sparkle still.
Teaching is not, nor ever, over.
So, the story goes that a great teacher of many years (having earned the title 'Legend' in the school) is leaving the profession like so many others in the uk. I was thinking about how we respond to the early loss of experienced, valued and beloved educators. The truncated verses speak of the lost-ness to the profession. The leapfrogging verses are a little stylistic thing I came up with myself, but have probably seen somewhere before and absorbed subconsciously. I really want help with any rhythmic inconsistencies and word-replacement where it doesn't quite click for the reader.
Any ideas appreciated.
Thanks