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

[Betty Hermelee]

Ah those good old days at school. I can relate to this; relationships with classmates, kind or not; I like the way you used the colors of the rainbow, the physics of it and the disturbance of it; It became embedded in your brain, your memory. The poem is well constructed. Nice job!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Betty for joining in my bit of nostalgia. Pleased you enjoyed the read. Keep safe and well.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you, you as well!

[.]

This reminds me of the old KISS acronym I used to hear all the time in my Higher School Mathematics classes..."Keep It Simple, Stupid".....an acronym certainly more relevant in the much broader realm of Physics. Just little teaching tricks of the trade to help us remember things. They are always useful. I have never heard your rainbow acronym, though. We used to sing a song to learn the colours. It seemed to work for me. Its nice to see a very different thematic poem in these troubled times. Perhaps we should all try for more upbeat originality. Much enjoyed, dear Christine! :))

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Jamila, thank you for your lovely review. I had never heard of KISS. You learn something new every day :) Keep safe.

Chris

[MOON]

Beautiful memories of of days gone by , learning and school . Lovely write.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Moon for your very encouraging response. All good things.

Chris

[Jimmy Yetts]

Elegant eloquence that truly uplifts the reader.
Poetry, pure and multi-layered.
I have no doubt, Chris, you will awake one day, very soon, to find you have become
Master of the Game.

[Chris Shaw]

You've got me blushing again Jimmy with this enthusiastic and encouraging review. Many thank yous.read moreYou've got me blushing again Jimmy with this enthusiastic and encouraging review. Many thank yous.

Chris

[Markus Anthony]

Two days ago the sky propped a raindow above our heads. I love how your lines drew me and the story to memories you have about school and people. This is inspiring and beautiful.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Markus Anthony for your visit and lovely review. So much appreciated. Be well.

read moreThank you Markus Anthony for your visit and lovely review. So much appreciated. Be well.

Chris

[emmajoy]

'.. 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 sof Welsh drawl crawling, - yes crawling down my teenage spine. '

What a delicious description! And memorable. How superbly well you've poetised physics, Chris! That Welshman - who had to teach what he should, was gifted enough to ensure HIS was the telling of the magic of.. ..'

[Chris Shaw]

His voice had the lilt and romance of Richard Burton's. How could I not remember him? I also managed to remember some physics. Many thanks Em.

Chris

[emmajoy]

Way back I visited Pontardulais (sp questionable!: went into a bread shop that also sold freshly cooked f*****s the smell was delishus! Anyway, the baker sounded just like Richard Burton Wasb;t that old but purred... wanted to just stand listening to him forever!!! Surely the word is mellifluous?! Sorry, had to tell you. Sharing is so wonderful! x

[Chris Shaw]

Richard Burton's voice was a delight :))

[Lydia Shutter]

"Richard of York gained battles in vain" is one I have not heard. My science teacher told us to remember his friend "Roy Gbiv". We remember the teachers who left their mark on our souls whether they were in a classroom or family members. I enjoyed this poem, Chris. Lydi**

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Lydi** for your visit and introducing me to Roy Gbiv. It makes me smile when I think of some of my old teachers. My memory then was much better than now. Take care.

Chris

[Dave]

It's amazing how we remember certain teachers. In 7th grade I had a white haired English teacher. She concentrated on short stories and poetry. In that grade she had us read and understand The Old Man and the Sea,But she thrilled us by reading the adventures of Dr. Dolittle. She forced me to memorize the poem In Flanders' Fields. She got me to do it by pulling on my ear. I can still quote that poem, even today. Despite being a little rough on me , I loved her, in a grandmotherly way. Take care Chris - Dave

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Dave. I love where my lines took you. Thank you for sharing that with me. Yes teachers back then certainly knew discipline. Tough love we called it. All the best.

Chris

[slfisher89]

I like the alliteration throughout the poem. Your vivid description create visual, audio, and tactile elements; which brings your memory alive.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you sifisher89 for your visit to my page. Your thoughts are both welcome and appreciated.
read moreThank you sifisher89 for your visit to my page. Your thoughts are both welcome and appreciated.

Chris