Poets Workshop

I don't know, I wish I could come up with something poetic to express what I care about, like Pat did with "Miss Meal Standing Guard" (and she calls herself metaphorically challenged!), but all I can do is rant and rave when I'm writing. Anyway, here's this:

The Writing Club Martyr

For being a club
we've a whipping girl.
Who'd have known?

All second years
now gone to third
returned this term.
But you joined new.

With gusto one sat before you
to write. But too fast,
too near,
and you shied away.
You'd come to stay.

From a distance later that day
he watched you flogged

for my not having written
to say we write.
And we're writing still
this term.

"She alone?"

"I escaped."

For being here writing?
Come on, say it was for the lessons
not preferred; not for waiting
for my word!
Flog me instead! My heart's askew!

Yet Teacher's
is the last,
last word
when it comes to lessons not
paid for, or preferred.

And now it seems
we've a whipping girl.
Your cover's blown,
and indebtedness
we pledge to you.

Jackie;

I'm not sure what story this tells, except that it's about the cruel lust for power in a school club? class? system?

Roberta

Well!  There's one thing for sure Jackie, I sense so much anger and frustration here?

I am so envious of your close association with kids, (don't tell Pat I said that) and I can certainly feel where you are able to draw your inspiration from.  However, I cannot but guess that it is you who is the true "Martyr"?

....and Jackie, don't even think of emulating Pat, she is one of a kind, be your own sweet self and please us as only you can.

Wow, Ray, thanks for these wonderful words to wake up to on a Monday!

Thank you.