💀 What do you know? I'm taking a holiday. You can bet that I will be back one day! See you in a week or so. In the meantime, have a look around! 💀
As I sit here by myself this morning, alone in a darkened, pre-sun-lit room,
I think to myself of that time all those years ago, twenty-nine years to be
exact, when I came to you so excitedly with a new song I had recorded.
Honestly, looking back on it, I am sure that I would cringe at it if I were
listening to that song this very minute, I am sure it wasn’t all that very
good, and I am sure you may have felt some disappointment in that
song’s lack of quality. Still, there I was sharing what I was so very
proud of to you, my music teacher from my primary school
years. I was a high schooler at the time, in a rock gig,
and I came back to visit you because you had
inspired me in the arts, in music—your
Michael Kamen dreams—and, truly,
you had inspired me in singing,
complimenting my Vienna
Boys Choir, boy alto voice.
But there I stood that day,
sharing with you the music
I had so passionately made,
hoping you’d there see value—
not so much in the song itself,
but in me, your former student.
Instead, you stood there blankly
and you told me, with a straight face,
that you missed my pre-pubescent, high
voice. Then, after saying that, you just walked
away. After decades of self-doubt, self-hatred,
and being too afraid to put myself out there in any
real, artistic way—after a lifetime of tears and pain—
not even really consciously thinking of that day and
time, nor even attributing any of the pain I had felt
to you, I must now sit and wonder (not in anger or
disdain, but in the truest curiosity) why would you
ever show such cold indifference to a teenager?
Yes, to you—my teacher—I would simply ask why?
© 2024 Tristan Robert Lange. All rights reserved.
-
Author:
Tristan Robert Lange (
Offline) - Published: December 21st, 2024 08:58
- Comment from author about the poem: Best viewed on a computer as it is formatted in the shape of the letter ‘Y’.
- Category: Reflection
- Views: 22
- Users favorite of this poem: Poetic Licence, Cassie58, Cheeky Missy, Teddy.15
Offline)
Comments9
This will send us nutty - there was a guy who answered 'why?' to every statement, if it was a question or not! He should keep taking the anti-nutty tablets. lol.
LOL! Indeed! 🌰 Thank you for reading and commenting my friend. As for that guy, I would simply ask, why? 🤣
Been there, done a variation of that; what sticks with me at this junction is the fork that forms as we branch out. Not everyone will be on our branch. Funny, but true. 👍🏻Walking off from this with a myriad of thoughts. 🙏🏻 Y?
Very true, indeed! Thank you so much, my friend, for your time and deep engagement, as always. Much appreciated! 🙏🖤
You’re much welcome 🙏🏻
Heart breaking. A teacher's job is to teach and with out incentive you loose the fish without bait you can not datch it. Encourage don't discourage. Well done
Exactly, Soren! 💯 It was weird how this memory manifested...while in the shower listening to a Christmas song performed by the Vienna Boys Choir. Bam! Repressed memory pops up! LOL! Anyway, thank you for your time and thoughtful analysis. Much appreciated my dear friend! 🙏🖤
Happens all to often, teachers completely dismissive of the young people they are there to nurture, encourage, inspire and build confidence in. This poem shows all to clearly what effect and how long that effect will last on a young person as they go out into the world. Very well written, but in that format i found it very difficult to read, Great piece
Yes. Shape poetry can be challenging depending on the shape. As I shared with Soren above, this memory manifested while in the shower listening to a Christmas song performed by the Vienna Boys Choir...as I was thinking on that moment in my life, I began asking the question why and immediately envision the poem in the shape of a Y. So, as the muse dictates! LOL! Anyway, thank you for your time and thoughtful analysis. Much appreciated Tobani! 🙏🖤
You are very welcome
Teachers are there to encourage and inspire. So sad that in this case this woman failed so badly and the effects were long lasting. This poem made me reflect on some of my own teachers. A right mixed bunch they were. A nice piece of reflection Tristan. All good wishes.
Indeed. A right mixed bunch mine were too. Yes, that is what teachers are there to do and it really does make me ponder why this one teacher could not find it in their heart to build up a kid rather than tear down. Then again, I am always puzzled at humanity's propensity toward tearing down, and teachers are humans. Anyway, thank you for your time, personal reflection, encouragement, and well wishes, Cassie! I am glad the poem delivered! 🙏🖤
I don’t think the question can be answered other than to remind that there are bad actors among humanity. Having noted that is not to dismiss the pain of your experience, Tristan.
I’d like to acknowledge your formatting. I made an attempt quite early on to attempt a novel layout or two and failed miserably. Those that do (and you are among a small elite group) I can only salute as I do you.
For sure Dave. I agree. There really is no answer other than the one you provided...though I do ponder what drives those actors bad. Again, probably no single, let alone satisfactory, answer to that. As for the formatting, thank you so very much. I am humbled, truly! 🖤🙏 This one was challenging, I am not going to lie. And then there was how it was showing up online. Ah...the things one starts before considering. I truly appreciate your salute and your kind words, my friend! ☺️
Have a good Festive Season and take it easy, Tristan.
You too, Dave!
There is an old saying .. "those who can, do and those who can't, teach" .. and whilst I do believe there is some truth in this .. it still doesn't give anyone the right to be so bloomin rude .. A truly captivating Y shaped poem Tristan .. Neville
💯 I concur. Truthfully, I have no clue where their talents lay beyond the classroom, but yeah. No one has that right...yet they sure do exercise it! 🤣 Anyway, thank you kind sir for your time and your thoughts. Y, I am glad the poem resonated! 🙏🖤
Oh Tristan I know it was a truly wonderful piece of music some proffs are void of emotion, sometimes they just believe they see more others so little, here in Italy we ha e many of these types. Pulling on my heartstrings today. 🌹
Oh…dearest Teddy, thank you for your kind and empathy-filled words. Indeed, this was a bit of a repressed memory that came out the other day. Weird how that happens. It sure did bring up a bunch of unexpected emotions….many of the ones I felt in that moment…followed by a profound sadness now…for that person. How damaged must someone be to behave that way? Did they give it any thought? Etc. Anyway, dear Teddy, I am lucky to call you friend and thank you for your empathy and your thoughtful words!🌹🙏❤️
I believe with the teacher shortages they start to hire cranky old people...I'm serious I think that's what they put on their CV!
I would not. at all. be surprised! 🤣 You very well may be right! Thank you so much, my friend. Always appreciate your time and engagement! 🙏❤️
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