Tell Me Teacher
Yusuf M. Khalid
The following poem was written in
collaboration with my friend, Richard Lamoureux , the author of the poetry
book, 'Dummy'. It's an honour and pleasure writing with you. Thank you for
giving me this opportunity.
Tell Me Teacher
I think the most important profession
Is that of a loving teacher
Even more important than preachers
For minds and hearts are formed by
teachers
They help to develop character features
and turn students into seekers
Tell me young teacher
What do you see in class
When the time moves fast
Is it more than a fail or pass
Are minds fragile like glass
Or are they up to the task
The class is a miniature universe
There’s genius and the reverse
And you have all those in between
To me they are all dear
They want to be seen
Some feel exams are cruel
Yet exams are but a single tool
We wish to raise wise not a fool
and have them swim in a knowledge pool
Some thrive on marks and trophies
Others have different philosophies
So I teach about math, science and
Socrates
About world politics and policies
For that hunger for learning will only
please
Because poverty of spirit leads to
disease
Yes, you speak plainly teacher
Still what of the difficult one
Who’s mind wanders and mouth runs
as he distracts the other ones
More concerned with mischief and having
fun
Or her with those sad eyes
She can’t get it even though she tries
Little problems grow in size.
What kind of equation then applies
Are their futures set in stone
What do you think when you’re alone
Is
there not strength and weakness
within all our flesh and bone
Brother, it is important
To not arrive at conclusions
Every child can find a solution
The one that seems troubled
May bring about a revolution
I await their awakening
With great anticipation.
