A Lesson In Physics

On the theme of rainbows, thank you gram for the inspiration.

Whenever I consider rainbows

a brass bell bellows in my ear, I hear

reflection, refraction, dispersal

or chalk sticks screeching on blackboard.

I rarely contemplate their fine hues

arching through the grateful heavens,

descending into an elusive clay pot

overspilling with gleaming gold.

I recall white dust between fingers,

italic writing, the slow crossing of t's,

a twinkle in his soon to be retired eyes

and the green, green grass of his valleys.

This phenomenon takes me to school,

rule books, black bat gowns, Taffy Evans

with his soft Welsh drawl crawling,

yes crawling down my teenage spine.

Richard of York gained battles in vain,

that's the order for the seven colours.

Stamp that into your head he said

and you'll have it licked, and I did.

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

this reminds me of Miss Kelly, my second grade teacher at Holy Spirit in the Bronx.
And how she would say she was going to "Box your ears in" when we got wrong answers.
Scary woman...and then I moved from NY in third grade, and lo and behold, got post cards and letters from her up until she died...she seemed quite old when we had her for class...and that she hated everyone.
How could i have known in second grade...it was "tough love"--she made me smarter...at least for awhile.
thanks for the trip back...as I read your piece...
the physics was how close her knuckles were to my ears. Distance vs. smack.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for sharing Jacob and for how physics came in to your relationship with Miss Kelly. Tough love indeed. Ouch, I felt those knuckles.

Chris

[Ken Simm.]

This follows the full spectrum of educational colours drifting through my times in physics, (but not art) as well. I could place it within my lessons on emotional colour was I so minded as well. Its that good.

[Neville]

.. Good old Taffy .. Good old gram .. reminds me of Mr. P my primary school teacher who went on to become a priest .. and then later went on to become prisoner number xxxxxxxxx and died inside I believe .. Neville

[Chris Shaw]

How sad your teacher travelled from priest to prisoner. You know you have stirred my interest. I want to know more. Thanks Neville for giving this old poem an airing. Have a good Tuesday.

Chris

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks for reminding me of Taffy. Wonderful Welsh lilt he had. Just like Richard Burton :)

[Neville]

..................... what a guy .. he would knock spots off mr. P for shaw.

Neville

[Chris Shaw]

Oh now I understand. Better locked up I think:)

[Neville]

..................................... Yep

[Pennywriter]

Ha! Ha! Ha! What a reminder of teenage years: the teacher sobering dreamy students...

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much Pennywriter for checking in. Pleased you enjoyed the read. Take care.

read moreThank you so much Pennywriter for checking in. Pleased you enjoyed the read. Take care.

Chris

[Dave Brown]

had trouble with this well written piece because Physics was my worst subject
Even my marginal poetry is much more fun

[Chris Shaw]

Dave, my Dad had a degree in physics but I still had a huge problem with physics :) Hope you are OK. A busy week for me with caring responsibilities. All good wishes from this side of the pond. Thank you for reading.

Chris

[Dave Brown]

hope you're not overwhelmed and don't overlook your own health

[Chris Shaw]

Trying to remain cool, cam and collected :) Thank you for the caring response. You take care too.

[Phill Oz O'fee]

Lovely write my friend, but it also reminded me of this passage;

Genesis 9:12-13
12 And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: 13 I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth."

Which, given today's situation around the globe, is something to hold on too! Thanks for the share... made me thin about rainbow symbolism... bless and be safe... :-)

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Phill, thank you so much for that thoughtful share in these troubled times. Please keep safe. All good wishes my friend.

Chris

[NotUsinganymore]

Very interesting poem about school. Too bad I didn't get to attend school growing up. I enjoyed this poem a lot, makes me jealous of those who attended school. People take school for granted.

[Chris Shaw]

So sad you didn't attend school JungLee. I have so many fond memories. Strict discipline, but it never harmed me. Lots to look back on. Take care and good to see you here.

Chris

[NotUsinganymore]

Thank you but at least my two children will be able to go to school that makes me happy.

[barleygirl]

This is a superbly specific example of how one thing can stick in your head as a child & then for DECADES, you're making this connection. I had a boyfriend who chewed Dentyne gum, which has always reminded me of him. I had the best physics professor in college & we took a field trip to this place where I now live (which I love, as you know) & so anything "physics" reminds me of this prof & our field trip (I peeled, by the way, & jumped into the river becuz it was 39*C or so). See how much this physics jaunt conjured up for me?!?!?! You are the BEST at stimulating these nuggets to pop out! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Chris Shaw]

I have so many of these snippets from school. I really should try and get a few more into poems. So glad you enjoyed this write Margie. You are so encouraging with your reviews and I thank you for that. Have a lovely Monday with your furry friends.

Chris

[Sami Khalil]

You have a sharp memory indeed to remember the little touchable moments in your classroom. The small crushes on your instructors whether looks or an accent. And then that rainbow on the horizon after the storm. It is all physics and physicality. Marvelous sharing and writing.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Sami, your lovely review is so appreciated. Thank you so much for visiting.

Chris

[Sami Khalil]

You are welcome...

[Einstein Noodle]

i love the Physics of rainbows .. so your opening verse invited me in further after the title .. which grabbed me right away ... i don't remember ever having to learn the order of colors of the rainbow .. i think the Nuns imaginations went all grey because of all the wearing of black on black (their "black bat gowns" .. in all fairness those "collars" did lend a splash of contrast ... but once on the blinders effect to over ;)
of course i believe in Leprechauns and their gold .. and i believe in chasing rainbows ..and i sure remember the fine white chaulk .. its smell .. and the wall to wall black boards screeching .. and my turn to "clap erasers" and wipe the boards with wet sponges ... the rules didn't allow peaking beyond my ability to see past the back of the head of the one in front of me ;)) and .. all those disciplines have value in the truths of life ... and we learn we are what we choose .. nothing more .. nothing less .. gram certainly did inspire you .. did Taffy Evans ever get past your imagination?? ;)))))))))
E.

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Mr E. Happy Easter to you on a glorious morning. Blue sky and birdsong galore. Discipline. Yes, my schooling had that by the bucket load, but my teachers were not unkind. Now Taffy had a beautiful Welsh lilt, similar to Richard Burton's voice. He certainly had song in his voice, and I loved him for that. He was a good man. As he spoke I am sure my fantasies dwelt on Mark Anthony and Cleopatra which was a film I had seen. Liz Taylor and the Burton from the valley's of Wales did it for me :))

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

ahahahaha i just love you girl!

[Chris Shaw]

:)).........

[Robert Trakofler]

LOL I hated school so very much I drove many a teacher crazy:/ I was always polite in my defiance of the methodical it just didn't suit my fractured bunny brain well particularly when I was younger and didn't have a working knowledge of why the rote didn't float in my head very well:( but I will say that when in school I was always thinking of rainbows from the inside looking out and not thinking of physics LOL

[Chris Shaw]

Ha ha Bunny. I have to say your rainbow thoughts were probably far more fun and creative. Physics was never me, however this was one bit of physics I did learn and haven't forgotten, and opposites attract. All that magnetic stuff stayed with me. The rest is lost in ether. My poor Dad must have despaired of me. He had a degree in physics :))

Keep safe my friend.
.

Chris