Gershon Wolf Poet Narrative

Discipline Works Wonders

~ Discipline Works Wonders ~


His parents tied his left arm behind his chair
So their poor little Gary wouldn't dare
To do such a sinister, such an evil thing
As learn to write with his southpaw wing

At school when he went to the board
His teacher did something untoward
She made Gary put his left arm behind his back
And when he didn't, she'd give him a whack

Well, wouldn't you know it? This worked great!
With his right hand Gary ate, and ate and ate
And in no time gained so much tummy weight
He couldn't even stand up straight...

...Now Gary's fifty-five and a mess
Takes him an hour to get dressed --
"Do I button my shirt with my left hand or right?
  ~ And which side do I sleep on at night?"

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Caren Krutsinger August 20, 2020 at 3:46 PM I had to wear a mitten tied tightly on my left hand for an entire school year - my first grade year so I was forced to use my right hand because I was left handed and the teacher and my mother wanted to "break me of that". I do not want to tell you how accurate this poem is. Let's just say BINGO.

Sharon Keely August 17, 2020 at 8:11 AM That suppression of the natural does indeed create a dissonance that lasts a lifetime. But blessed are the different - if they make it past adolescence, the worst is usually behind them. Gershon Wolf August 17, 2020 at 2:54 PM Right you are, Sharon... and a pity whenever that uniqueness is squashed by the pressure to conform. Light and Joy, Gershon

Carolyn Devonshire August 16, 2020 at 12:11 PM I hate to hear about such things happening to "South Paws," Gershon. I wonder if Gary was ever able to learn to write with his right hand. Feeling ostracized, it's no wonder he turned to food. (My brother is ambidextrous and can write with either hand.) Your poem has an important message and I hope it reaches the parents and teachers of left-handed children! Hugs, Carolyn Gershon Wolf August 16, 2020 at 1:15 PM Well, 'Gary' is really me! --- athough not the last stanza. I may be a 'mess' at age 70, but I don't take an hour to figure out which hand to button my shirt with, nor do I debate what side I should sleep on! LOL. Thanks, Carolyn. Cheers, Gershon

Tom Cunningham August 16, 2020 at 3:07 AM How wrong they were, and screwed kids minds into the bargain, my middle daughter is left handed and not once did we ever try and change that. Tom Gershon Wolf August 16, 2020 at 1:16 PM Yup! My parents really 'screwed me' there, didn't they?! LOL. I'm 'Gary,' but not to worry -- almost fully recovered now, and NO RELATION to that 'Gary' of the last stanza. This one is a laugher, truth be told... Glad to hear that you let your daughter be. That's the right approach.

Arturo Michael August 16, 2020 at 1:30 AM Who are you describing there... I enjoyed it... Gershon Wolf August 16, 2020 at 1:12 PM Ha, ha: Did you smoke me out?! 'Gary' is me!... although not the last stanza. I may well be a 'mess,' but I don't waste time figuring out which hand to button my shirt with. lol. Smiles, Gershon

Sigrid Ermine August 15, 2020 at 10:50 PM Cool poem. I like the 'w' "end of lines, as well as a couple of beginning line words. Left Hand People Day officially recognised a couple of days ago, assume this is worldwide. Gershon Wolf August 16, 2020 at 2:33 PM Thank you so much, Sigrid! ~ Lefty Wolf

Jenish Somadas August 15, 2020 at 10:27 PM lol.. Interesting thoughts beautifully articulated.. I'm a right-hander on paper and the other way on computer.. So can I join your group..lol.. Gershon Wolf August 15, 2020 at 10:45 PM I'll make you a deal IF you are a lefty when you leave a voice message... lol. Thanks, Jenish!

Sam Kauffman August 15, 2020 at 9:48 PM The woes of a southpaw! I am left handed. In nursery school they tried to change me! Guess what? I'm am still a southpaw - and proud of it! Thanks for bringing to light plight of southpaws! Are you one? I REALLY relate to your delightful write! All the best. Sam Kauffman August 18, 2020 at 8:09 PM Really? How did that happen? Hmmm! I wrote a poem on "lefties" for our oldest son who is also a leftie - a third generation southpaw! Somehow I just knew I had a partner in crime. Maybe other lefties will come out of the shadows! All the best - one southpaw to the other. Gershon Wolf August 15, 2020 at 10:03 PM Yup, I sure am a southpaw -- although I do a couple of things right-handed... As you may know, the word 'sinister' in Latin means 'left' or 'evil'... Subtle point of interest there... At any rate, appreciate the love on this one, Sam. Try ilene bauer's site. She's got another one on lefties. It's kind of a left-handers Hall of Fame. (Somehow, we're not in it. Can you imagine? lol.). Light and Joy, Gershon