She stands towering over me.
Her eyes search fearful ones.
My body stiffens:
I scrunch down in the desk chair,
I'm worried,
will I pronounce my words correct?
If I stutter or make a mistake,
the children will poke fun at me.
My hands tremble:
I rest my head on my chest,
pick my nails,
frown at the spelling paper,
look at the words scribbled on it.
She speaks and I flinch,
her voice scares me,
I cup my hands over my ears,
shutting her out.
She walks closer,
I withdraw from her.
She squats down beside me:
gently touches the top of my head,
building a secure association with me.
She leans forward and cuddles my fingers in hers,
places one under the words and spells,
repeats and spells the sounds, dog, cat, rat,
my body relaxes and the fear passes.
I find myself smiling and the words flowing.
Teachers can be an intimidating power to a little one. I know I hated being called on in class. Even if I knew the answer, the intimidation was still there. Loved this!
To the shy, bashful soul, there is nothing more nourishing and vital in life than a caring, loving mentor. Be they teacher, parent, guardian or a visiting stranger-in-life, one sharing understanding and love is priceless.
Your words cast a magic spell, Barbara, and remind us to give thanks for all we have and for all we have to share with others.
This is a well written poem
I have a friend who is a teacher of six grade
She has many kids who are very bashful they are afraid to
To comment or answer questions but she brings
Them out of there shell with reassurance and kindness!!
Love And Peace To You..Morning Star
That's what a teacher does...let me rephrase...that's what a good teacher does. They will make their students happy, secure, give them confidence, and teach them how to read, write, mathematics, and learn daily life skills that are needed to get by in this world. Teaching them to become responsible people. Loved this write, touched me...not only because I am a teacher, but because I remember being nervous as a child and having a teacher who cared enough to make me feel comfortable, giving me the self confidence that I needed. Great write!
Blessings,
Joyce Bowling
Oh this is nice!! Every child I think has gone through this stage in their lives. Kudos to the teacher for her sensitivity and compassion toward this child. Hugs, Laura
(Self-published. Please contact author directly to order.)
Enter the pages of diaspora in quiet introspection. Bathe your thoughts with subtle humor; synchronize your spirit-sense with history-in-heat; fall headlong with eyes wide open into
Share
Print
Save
Follow
Your words cast a magic spell, Barbara, and remind us to give thanks for all we have and for all we have to share with others.
A wonderful message and life-lesson.
Richard
and caring
enjoyed this write!
I have a friend who is a teacher of six grade
She has many kids who are very bashful they are afraid to
To comment or answer questions but she brings
Them out of there shell with reassurance and kindness!!
Love And Peace To You..Morning Star
debra
Regis
Blessings,
Joyce Bowling