Upon my head, a pointed crown,
A symbol of the mind’s misstep.
I sit, while whispers wander ‘round,
A mark my teachers dare not let slip.
The world may laugh, the scholars frown,
But still I ponder, still I sit,
While letters dance and numbers trip,
Beneath this cap of folly.
The tassel swings, a mocking sound,
A tiny flag of shame displayed.
Yet in my thoughts, new truths are found,
By curiosity not delayed.
Though peers may scoff and jeers abound,
I learn in ways no scorn can clip,
My mind explores beyond the script,
Beneath this cap of folly.
And when the day is finally done,
The pointed hat removed at last,
I see the setting of the sun,
And knowledge gleaned from trials past.
Though laughter came from everyone,
The lessons linger, wisdom’s sip,
Unseen beneath the scholar’s tip,
Beneath this cap of folly.
-
Author:
Matthew R. Callies (
Offline) - Published: October 1st, 2026 00:10
- Comment from author about the poem: A dunce cap, also variously known as a dunce hat, dunce's cap or dunce's hat, is a pointed hat, formerly used as an article of discipline in schools in Europe and the United States for children who were disruptive or were considered slow in learning.
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 8
- Users favorite of this poem: sorenbarrett, Cheeky Missy, Tristan Robert Lange
- In collections: 🔥Trending🔥, Over My Head.
Offline)
Comments3
When I was quite young this was still used in my school which then evolved one year to an isolated chair in the corner of the room with a diaper on it called the diaper chair emphasizing one's baby like behaviors for acter outers before one was sent to the office to receive the board of education a plank with a handle that had holes drilled in it to let the air pass so it could be swung more quickly. Good write my friend a fave
Dear me! How many of us are dunces at this rate? Beautifully rendered with excellent imagery and a warming poignancy. Thank you very much for sharing.
I felt this, Matthew. Being made to feel stupid can stay with you long after the classroom itself is gone. Having been singled out, made fun of, and put behind dividers in class because I thought too deeply...they called it “daydreaming,” but I was actually thinking about what was being taught...sigh...among other things, this hits home deeply. I appreciate the subjects you poetically take on, Matthew. I am a fan. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
To be able to comment and rate this poem, you must be registered. Register here or if you are already registered, login here.