Signed Contract

Inspired by this quote: "Man is born free and everywhere he is in chains" (Jean Jacques Rousseau).

Shackled like a horse.

Bound to a post.

My tether only goes so far.

Wide-eyed.

The horse neighs for freedom,

shaking its brilliant mane.

Boxer incarnate.

Reviews

[00000000000000000000000..]

Gosh this is one them thinking poems for me, I guess I don't like being chained down myself, I like to be able to move about but some days ant quite that way, When one is fixed in emotion and anger makes it 10 times worse, Plus I don't care for a horse that all mad and jacked up been around too many that even have stood on there back legs. Not a pretty site. Great write Diana:)

[Diana]

Thank you, Jonathan.

[0000000000000000000000000000]

Why your very welcome Diana:) Have a bless night.

[icelandicblue]

The marks of the leash last long after the contract has been met. It is a form of indentured servitude only it usually pays better (unless you break it down by what you really make per hour when you work 80 hours a week).

[Diana]

No matter how you break it down, it pays, but does it "pay" in the end? Some insightful remarks. I wonder at your career.

[icelandicblue]

I am a teacher and I can assure you we work many more hours than the public believes. We sign a contract and our responsibilities encompass the health, social, emotional, home life, psychological well being, safety and finally the academic progress of our student. Summers off only mean more grad courses and summer enrichment classes we run for students and so that I can make ends meet. I worked in the private sector for 10 years so I have perspectives from both the private and public sectors. I understand deadlines and contracts more than I care to admit. We teachers are currently working without a contract which does not affect our responsibilities one iota. We are the whipping boys of society.

[Diana]

Teacher, too. I had a feeling from your review. Who else could relate so well?

[icelandicblue]

Ah and the basic premise of the new core curriculum and evaluation is like Nike, "Just do it." And we do because the job we do is too damn important and under appreciated. But I LOVE what I do when I close my door and teach. What do you teach?

[Diana]

I taught Spanish; I'm currently back in school working on another license. I'm applying to grad schools at the same time.

I'm glad you LOVE what you do, still. I never understood the people in school districts that acted like they had nothing to do... Shakes head.

[icelandicblue]

I'm a life long learner and I want to impart that enthusiasm for the kids. I teach 4th grade all subjects many things I teach are not provided, I create my own curriculum at time. No support to really tackle the new Core Curriculum. Foreign languages used to start in 3rd grade now they start in 5th and one year they decided 6th grade was soon enough-foolish- no wonder we are monolingual. What state do you teach in?

[Diana]

Ohio. When do human beings first learn language? As babies. There-in lies the answer (as early as possible).

I don't know as much about the Core, but it seems so robotic. I'm sure there isn't a lot of support for that.

I designed my own middle school foreign language program with no other help last year. No books except for high school credit classes. 6 classes a day, 6 different rooms...

[icelandicblue]

They claim it is more rigorous. I believe in high standards but if you set the bar so high students will just limbo under it. I teach in Massachusetts. What are you getting your new license in?

[Diana]

Why don't they just trust that teachers will have high standards? Ahh...never mind. Never mind. Too risky.

English (7-12).

[icelandicblue]

Because society is too busy blaming us for all its social ills and businessmen and politicians who never taught a day in their lives think that they know better than trained professionals. Interesting they don't regulate doctors like they regulate us.

[Diana]

Education begins before the school system does.

Most people wouldn't last a week in our jobs. I just...I can't do this much work...It's not reasonable. I need sleep. I have a family, etc.

[icelandicblue]

I hear you, I really do.

[Diana]

The public perception is that we have it easy. Kick.

[icelandicblue]

Yes, and the new contract offered to us this year is 0% and no step increases for a year and a half.Third time in the last three contracts that we've been asked to skip increases or take them in the middle of the year or for us to lose a step all the while being asked to do more with nothing taken away. We even voted to pay more in health care so the town could buy a new fire engine. The school committee is genuinely surprised that we are tired of giving back, it's almost as if they resent paying us at all. It boils down to that public perception that we have it easy. All the while during this we are always in the top 10% in state testing. Now we have classes of 30 and with the new curriculum, the expectation that we use technology that we don't have and that we teach students at a more rigorous level even though they are not developmentally ready and that our out of date text books will have to do. I work in an middle to upper class district too. What happened to Piaget and Vitgotsky?

[Diana]

Child development is for the psychologists. We're not qualified for that...

I admire you and I know what you're going through much more than others, but I'm done. I hope to teach at the college level. I'm a quiet introvert and the parents, high schoolers, and administration were just too much for me. I'm out. I actually feel peace some days, again.

[icelandicblue]

Thanks, right back at you. ; )

[Sami Khalil]

When we sign contracts we are obligated abd obliged to fulfil it according to the terms. It can restrict our freedoms for the sake of others. The tether like you say only goes so far...A splendid poem...:)....................

[Diana]

This is not pure metaphor, Sami. I have signed 2 year-long contracts and fulfilled them, for better or worse. It was certainly worse for my health. I'm still paying the price. The shackles leave their mark. This is not something I can react to rationally. Sometimes sane people are pushed too far.

[Sami Khalil]

Wow. You know better...You are welcome...:).............

[Diana]

Sorry for the rant. I am not a little girl, but there are situations in this world that leave you so helpless you might as well be.

[Sami Khalil]

I understand...You are welcome...:).............

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, sometimes we feel shackled by our relationships or by stress...and we need to fight our way out...so we can run free and show that brilliant mane again that once was ours...when we roamed free of chains of worry...

nicely worded.

[Diana]

Thank you, Jacob.

[Jack...]

Diana, the metaphor in your poem is brilliant. I studied this poem for some time before reviewing. This is sheer genius. Loved this.

[Diana]

Thank you, Jack. Glad you enjoyed this one.