There it was at the back of the school hall,
Written across the top of the memorial board.
Those words which we all knew,
Those words which we all dreaded.
They just sat there reminding us of their dread
As they were used to punish us.
We didn’t get lines,
We got ‘Knowledges’.
Write out fifty, or a hundred knowledges,
They were the words
That were used ,
Used as a ‘minor, punishment.
And even today, fifty three years later
I remember them with ease,
Those words of horror.
“Knowledge is a steep which few may climb,
while duty is a path which all must tread.”
-
Author:
Goldfinch60 (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: August 1st, 2019 00:27
- Comment from author about the poem: At the poetry group that I go too the subject was "School", this was one of the poems I wrote for it.
- Category: Reflection
- Views: 20
Offline)
Comments8
Education is something all too many regard as a thing of their past. Quite apart from covering new ground and learning new subjects or hobbies, covering 'old ground' with an adult mind is most rewarding.
I totally agree d a, the adult mind can put different concepts learned from experience on that we were taught as youngsters.
A good write Gold.
Thanks Orchi.
I dun edukashun at skool - knowledge is power. Fine write Andy.
Yor spelin is nerlay as go as mein.
Yes knowledge is power but wisdom is priceless.
THANKS FOR SHARING UNCLE ANDY ! I (BRIAN) went to a Grammar School ~ so the Classics ruled ~ OK ! The lines we had to write out (50 times !) were ~
DULCE EST DESIPERE IN LOCO
It is appropriate to *Play the Fool* but only on the right occasion !
It was a lesson we learned the hard way ~ through Corporal Punishment (CANING) now banned !
Love the POEM and the haunting
vibes of DANCE MACABRE !
Blessings & Peace to YOU & JOYCE
Yours as always BRIAN & ANGELA
🧡 💙 🧡 💙 🧡
Thanks Brian, yes mine was a grammar school and we had corporal punishment - I didn't get caned but writing out 100 knowledges on parchment with a quill was hard work. LOL.
Knowledge, understood through wisdom, and accomplished through action, but never fully comprehend
Yes Suresh, we seem to be back to the "If only....?" question again.
aint it amazing what we dont forget
How times have changed eh my friend...
well recalled and bloomin well penned..... N
Yes Neville those words are ingrained within me as I think they may be by all the boys that went to my school.
Thank you for your kind words.
Memory of such exacted recitations do stay with us Andy - - - school songs and the times tables I can quote verbatim to this day.... thanks for this piece of your young education ...........
Thank you Fay, Yes I can still recite the times table
da de da de da
da de da de da
da de da de da
da de da de da
da de da de da
da de da de da
da de da de da
da de da de da
At least, I know the rhythm!
Yes those were the days when everything learned was new or a milestone, even the minor punishment had their functions. A true experience in growth that would come to build our reserves of wisdom. Enjoyed this.
Thank you Seek. Yes I learned a great deal in those far off days and not just from the teachers. Good times - as is retirement.
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