He like to walk across desktops,
bright eyes filled with challenge,
a shock of unkempt blond tuffs
lending a distinctly menacing air.
Had him for three classes a day,
and plentiful as my patience could be,
I must say, I was stretched –
searching for a suitable approach
He was all brawn, you see,
and I, nearing fifty, body frail,
was ill-equipped to deal with blows,
and besides, his ostentatious behaviour
netted me plenty of sympathy,
his classmate no more impressed
than I, my colleagues deeming him
incorrigible – surely, a lost cause.
And yet, I saw in him a wayward self,
glimpses of such anger and pain
as I had known in youth, and I
appealed to my own longing
assigned him helping tasks,
befriended the notorious lad,
inviting another side, appealing
to a scarred vulnerability
Stellar progress we made –
he passing every class, aiming
to remedy his days, and then
we let our guards down
Neither of us prepared for
the downside of success –
he, mired in unworthiness
slipped back into old ways
drank himself into a stupor,
arrived at school wielding
a pellet gun, waving his weapon
at unsuspecting peers, stirring
mass mayhem, and as they
took him away in handcuffs,
he called my name, “I love you”
echoing through the stunned halls.
(Written for Fandango’s Word of the Day: ostentatious, Ragtag Communities: stellar, and Daily Addictions: plentiful.
The boy depicted did manage to complete his school year, with the help of school administration and lessons provided by yours truly. After high school, he went into social work, a field I think he will thrive in, given his background. There is always more to the story, and there is always hope.)
Some people are able to find diamonds hidden in piles of coal.
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If we are willing to dig and do the hard work, yes.
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Thanks for telling his story. We all need hope.
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We do…and especially hope for the young people who seem so lost.
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What a beautiful poem! And thank you especially for your afterword … there is indeed always hope. Bless you for giving some to this young man.
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We learned a lot from one another. I find the students who are the greatest challenge can also be the greatest gifts. Thanks for your kind words.
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…”he liked to walk across desk tops” is a great opening line…a powerful poem…JIM
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That was how I was first introduced to him – letting me know in no uncertain terms that I was in for a ride. Thanks.
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This is such a beautiful story of hope and redemption V.J.! I’m so glad you helped him realize he could be more than he thought he could.
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He was so bright, and had such a tragic family life – he just needed someone to believe in him.
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Great poem and story. The world needs more teachers like you❤️
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Thank you. I miss my students, actually – they kept me on my toes.
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As a former teacher myself, I could put a few faces on this boy. Loved the outcome. There is always hope.
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Exactly – it was what kept us going.
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I am always heartened by these stories of teacher’s who see the value in each individual, no matter how many buttons are pushed. Thank you for writing and sharing this.
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Although the poem speaks to the relationship between he and I, it was the support of admin, resource, and guidance that helped this boy succeed. It takes a community.
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I agree it takes a team to set a plan, but for a child it often takes that one connection with an adult for them to reach out and accept that help.
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…and teachers are very much front line.
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awesome poem! I love it! xx
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You are always so kind.
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Thanks so much!
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As a middle school teacher, I have had many examples of this young man in my classes. Thanks for his story! And thanks for participating in Daily Addictions.
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You are so welcome – appreciate the prompts.
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