Since I'm still experimenting with forms, (probably will be ongoing for as long as I keep trying my hand at poetry) I thought I'd try my hand at the lowly limerick. I wanted to do something humorous, for a change of pace.
I also did a couple of vignettes about some of my schoolteachers, in bigjac style. I plan to continue in that vein for awhile, with the next few diaries.
I will tell you that the line in the first limerick about music and the line in the second, about being unjustly accused, refer to the same situation. Telling the story behind those oblique references would take a diary to itself, which would probably not appear in IK in poetic form. That diary may come later on, but for now, you'll have to wonder. (Evil of me, no?)
In any case, wonder, if you care to, enjoy, wince if so moved, and please feel free to respond with stories of your school experiences in poetic form, or not, but I'd love to see poetic responses to my "prompts" here.
As bigjac says, "Thanks for reading." Poems below the orange squiggle.
Kalliope
Means "beautiful voice" from Greek καλλος (kallos) "beauty" and οψ (ops) "voice". In Greek mythology she was a goddess of epic poetry and eloquence, one of the nine Muses.
Join us every Tuesday afternoon at the Daily Kos community political poetry club.
Your own poetry is always welcome in the comments.
Bongos, berets & turtle neck sweaters optional.
The keyboard is mightier than the sword.
There once was a girl in Alaska
Went to high school there, where they task ya--
Music? Loved, but 'twas cursed.
Algebra? Was the worst!
A heck of a thing? Now, I ask ya!
She was the assistant supe's daughter
Mostly tried to do what she oughter--
But unjustly accused
By some teachers abused--
Often felt like a lamb to the slaughter!
Teacher Vignettes
I did NOT like my kindergarten teacher!
She did not like me.
She humiliated me
In front of the whole class.
She told my mother
(my mother told me years later)
That I was "socially retarded,"
Should be held back a year!
(I don't think my mother liked her, either.)
My favorite times that year
Were recess
Where I had two friends,
Older girls
Third graders, I think I remember,
Who befriended me
And the ride home
With my daddy
When I bounced on the car seat and sang "Lollypop."
I DID like my first grade teacher!
She was a very nice change from the year before!
She was kind
And understanding.
There was concern
When I wasn't turning in
Any work in class.
So she checked in my desk
And found it all there.
When she asked me why
I hadn't turned it in
I told her it was because
I wasn't finished.
She said, "Don't worry about it.
Just go as far as you can and turn that in.
It's all right if it's not done."
So I did, and stopped worrying.
In time, finishing was easy.
What a difference kindness, understanding, and patience makes!
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