The Teacher's Poem (Live at EchoVerse)

This is a dedication piece for all teachers, especially those who do whatever it takes to make sure that their students succeed. Peace to those who educated me.

I've decided to attach the words for those who want to read along.

I remember when I was 12 years old,
I knew nothing,
But,
I knew everything that I needed to know.
I had done all that I needed to do,
And grown all that I needed to grow.
I was now ready to take over the world,
I was smarter than every man, woman, boy, and girl.
In fact,
I was smarter than every man, woman, boy, and girl combined,
From now dating back to the beginning of time.
But now that I look back on my life,
I wonder,
What was I thinking?
Better yet,
What were you thinking,
When you stood in front of the class everyday,
And tried to teach me?
You were talking to me,
But I was talking to Gigi
Trying to make plans for the weekend.
But you persisted,
And you keep me from going off of the deep end.
You saved my life!!!
And I can never sufficiently say "thank you" with the words I write.
So I can only hope that you're happy
With the special place that God has in heaven for teachers.
You taught me to dream the impossible dream,
Because possibilities change everyday.
You taught me that the wrong thing
Can't be done the right way.
You gave me the basic building blocks of life.
You taught me how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide.
You taught me how to read and write.
You taught me my letters and my numbers,
My shapes and my colors,
You taught me that if I didn't want it done to me
That I shouldn't do it to others.
i.e., the Golden Rule.
You taught me to put "i's" before "e's" except after "c's"
You pushed me to get straight "A's" when I making "A's and B's"
You made me a better me.
You, go beyond the call of duty.
You stayed the extra hours
To give the extra help.
You believed in me
When I didn't believe in myself.
That's partly why I believe
That the greatest thing that a person can do,
Is to be a teacher or a mother.
And I thank you,
For inspiring me to be an inspiration to others.
Thank you for loving me,
Although it was tough.
Thank you for not giving up.
Thank you for teaching me that when the best is possible,
It's not okay just to be good enough.
You recognized that I was talented and gifted,
Before I realized that, any talents and gifts existed.
You taught me that the sky is only the limit,
Until I reach outer space.
You taught me to say "please" and "thank you,"
And for that,
I thank you.
And when I finish this poem,
Don't clap for me.
Clap for those who looked past my present state,
And saw my potential to be great.
Clap for those heroes who don't have monuments and statues
Clap for those who chose chalk as their weapon,
And the classroom as their battlefield,
To fight false knowledge and true ignorance.
Clap for those who answered the call
To educate us all.
So, from my heart to yours,
Thank you!!!

2008 © Fried Sushi

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Teacher
• Poem
• Poetry
• Detroit
• Michigan
• Learn
• Echoverse
• Fried
• Sushi
• Slam
• Thank
• You
• Read
• Count
• Letter
• Number
• Dedicated

[ROwyoCO]

Dude, put that to some rap music and record it! Sweet!

[rfvietnamrose]

Thanks for sharing . GOD bless all.

[leoo30020]

fucking hell it's really inspiring

[bearcatgal]

wow that was awesome. reminds me why i am working so hard to be a teacher.

[krys10kay]

I am a teacher and I Thank You!!

[molshtein]

awesome! Bravo

[JusticeUmbiya]

Fried SUSHI!!!

[queendaneen]

THANK YOU Mrs. Ruth Tucker!

Kirby you rock!

Daniella

[upsych]

tuff.