for the teacher

to Richard http://www.writerscafe.org/RichardJ

Some say that teachers teach, instead of do,

Their lack of fortitude may lose the race,

For many t'is the tale , and might be true,

But for another, this is not the case,

Instruct and guide, he will, and step aside,

In pupils sensing eager need to learn.

Tho kind he may be, error does not slide,

He lends a hand, for satisfaction earn.

His words to harken, open wide your ears,

His method, not the madness, learn to play,

Intimidation wins by confused fears,

Doubt's darker twist, his aid will keep at bay,

If form is lacking, and to structure crave,

Dear poet, Richard, mind, if ye be brave!

Author's Note

The teacher is http://www.writerscafe.org/RichardJ -- but I did this on my own, so it's not his fault if it's not perfect.

Reviews

[Sammi]

I was reading through your poems KLGoode for something to review and am surprised to run across this one that reminded me of this same poet who taught me one like it in this style over a year ago Colorado Dreams and I reposted it, I really enjoy your version and how you worded everything smooth in perfect rhymes and giving thanks to the one who helped you like he did me and this was a very hard style to write in but you make it look easy, I like yours better than mine -- thank you! :)

HUGGS!
Sammi

[Lyn Anderson]

That is very kind of you -- it was very difficult to achieve, although I am happy with my end results. It's like running a marathon, it hurts, but in the end you feel satisfied when it is done.

[Sammi]

You sure put things nicely KLGoode -- thank you to! :)

HUGGS!
Sammi

[Richard🖌]

Ah, Dear KL!
Such a fearless effort, swaddled in the soft wonder of your marvelously skilled, appreciative creativity, M'Lady … naught could dance more lovely and gratifying to a teacher's hopeful eye and ear upon his thankful heart.
To be recognized and honored with such introspection is far higher and beyond any praise and joy I could ever have expected.
I most humbly rejoin with a low, sweeping bow, in warmest thanks for the gift of this wonderfully crafted Sonnet … It could no be more perfect or befitting a gesture for an olde bard to treasure.

In my native ancestral Welsh tongue,
"Diolch i chi erioed mor gynnes gyda fy holl galon, Brydferth Brydyddes ⁓ Rishardt"*


*(Thank you ever so warmly with all my heart, Beautiful Poetess ⁓ Richard)

[Lyn Anderson]

I feel all warm and gooey inside - I really wanted to get the emotion just right -- although I can probably improve it, I want you to know the very patient teacher I feel you are.

[Richard🖌]

KL,
For a student with such great promise, what teacher would not willingly be patient?
You are a wondrous joy! : )

[Einstein Noodle]

you are really giving it a go aren't you!? hats off ... i recognize a sonnet without you even saying so ;) what a fine tribute to Richard ..and all teachers for that matter ..there really aren't a lot of teachers that do a great job in my opinion .. but admittedly .. i was taught by nuns, priests and then Brothers ... all with paddles to wack you and hands to wack you and fingers to pinch you ...yeouch we would squeal ;) but most of us ruffians made it ..to too much worse for the wear .. nice job on the poem ma'am!
E.

[Lyn Anderson]

I have a few favourite teachers over my life time, and none of them was a NUN. Although one particular NUN earned the title of meanest teacher I ever ran across, I was lucky, they were only allowed a good crack on the knuckles by the time I went to Catholic school. And yes, thank you, I am expanding those horizons -- still stubbornly working on an anti-sonnet in trochaic tetrametre. It's harder than one would think, to stay in one metre through a small work.

[Lyn Anderson]

oh but hon, before I forget, read Curt and mine's collab for Frieda -- we miss her so! (love you from your nose to your shoes)

[Einstein Noodle]

you know .. i have been missing her a lot lately as well and have consdered re-posting one of our collabs ..i think i will do it .. did you or did Curt post it?

[Lyn Anderson]

I posted it.

[Einstein Noodle]

yep! found it :)

[Ana Papaya]

Yes, it's a delicate combination indeed of encouragement and critique. Need the right mix, and it's different for each pupil.

[Lyn Anderson]

That is so true, like coaches, and mentors as well, each person has the method to which they respond.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

as a teacher i really appreciate the words here...we don't want to intimidate and confuse, we rather want to nurture and teach...

and yes, that saying...those who can't do, teach...in my experience...most teachers, especially the older ones, do first, then teach.

thanks for this poem--KL..even though i know it is for Richard...still...i relate.

j.

[Lyn Anderson]

Good, I am glad you do -- this is the sonnet I put up with trepidation, but I am sure he will appreciate the sentiment, even if my pentametre is somewhat less than perfect. I worked it, and then some.:)