Gathering Dust

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* 
It happened in a moment, during my 7th grade English class   *
As we studied classic literature; “Evangeline”,  the poem
A substitute teacher, wearing shoes of polished coal             *
His soft style, hair neatly combed, engrossed in reading poetry…
Pubescence slumped around me, nodding off, slowly being lulled...
Young minds. filled with clutter, gathering dust, from ancient stories

With glittering eyes, he read each verse                 *    *
The soft, eager voice, that stroked each word…
He would wait, on occasion, to look around the room  *
With wistful hope, I would suppose, to reach one heart, one soul

At the start of the class, I had been watching the clock
But, as I sat more enraptured, time just seemed to stop…
I turned the pages, one by one …and slowly fell in love

The beauty of old words, drifted through the stuffy air
Like the gathering of dust motes, glittered, hanging in suspension
Filtered in the angled light, of the afternoon’s warm detention
Sun filtered through window glass,…while voice of bliss droned on…. 

My heartbeat sped, with growing passion
I restrained my hands from reaching,… grabbing                 *
To catch each word, and keep them captive…
Dust motes, and words, were spinning around                             *
I was head over heels…for my substitute teacher…
I was head over heels for an old man named Longfellow….
Thirteen years old, I loved two older men….

Fell in love with the classics,....on a mid-day afternoon
                  While gathering dust, and the magic of words




……………………………………….
For the Contest: "Gathering Dust"
Sponsored by John Lawless

Copyright © | Year Posted 2011



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Date: 3/19/2015 3:58:00 PM
Delight sprang up as I read this winner..Congrats on your place in the winner's line up..Sara
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Carrie Richards
Date: 3/19/2015 5:53:00 PM
Thank you for the kind compliment, Sara ! Lovely to hear from you!
Date: 3/19/2015 11:25:00 AM
Carrie, Congratulations on your awesome gathering Dust win..... Luv ~LINDA~
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Date: 3/19/2015 10:44:00 AM
Congs Carrie, wel written
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Date: 3/17/2015 9:36:00 AM
Congs on the Victor Poem, Bryan Loves
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Date: 3/16/2015 11:51:00 AM
Carrie, such a gift that you were given at such a young age. Congratulations on your win. Blessings dear friend Eve
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Date: 3/16/2015 8:31:00 AM
Such a gift you were given that day, Carrie. I so much enjoyed your wonderful memories as you shared the magic of your enlightenment that special day. Congratulations on your fine win. Hugs, Sandra
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Date: 3/15/2015 7:52:00 PM
Wonderful reminiscing- I enjoyed this very much! Congrad's on your win. Light & Love
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Guzzi Avatar
Debbie Guzzi
Date: 3/15/2015 7:53:00 PM
It would work well as prose poetry or haibun too Carrie!
Date: 3/15/2015 3:32:00 PM
Carrie, CONGRATULATIONS, on your Win ~SKAT~
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Date: 3/15/2015 11:51:00 AM
Carrie, I think this one really appealed to me because I get to be the "visiting poetry guy" in several elementary and high schools. Though not a "teacher" my love of poetry has opened some very interesting doors to share it. So glad you submitted it to the contest. Thanks.
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Date: 3/15/2015 11:29:00 AM
I can relate to this as i work in a school - wow what a difference a change in teacher can have on a student - brilliantly written a 7 from me:-) hugs Jan xx
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Date: 1/5/2012 11:38:00 AM
Congrats on your win in the "Glow Of Glitter" contest Carrie. Love, Carol
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Date: 12/30/2011 11:44:00 PM
Great job Carrie! Always superb! Congratulations. RAY
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Date: 12/30/2011 1:27:00 PM
A limerick that I read as a teenager "The Lady from Niger" was a poem that I dearly loved, Carrie. Happy New year to you dear lady and congratulations on a worthy poem's place victory. Agape, Moses
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Date: 12/30/2011 10:47:00 AM
Bravo, CArrie, for another poem of awesomeness!! I loved how you entwined your love for the old men and words. I knew right where you were leading and i loved it. Congrats on a well deserved win.
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Date: 12/30/2011 9:49:00 AM
wow. this is an impressive poem (as usual). I really liked how you tied the teacher together with the poetry and your ending "the glitter of words" love it. I felt like I was there with you. congrats on your win!
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Date: 12/30/2011 2:14:00 AM
Congraulations x
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Date: 11/13/2011 8:25:00 AM
Carrie, this write is totally awesome ! You captured me right(write) away with this piece dear poet, to the end I was enraptured ! and, "Longfellow is one of my favorite poets ! Have a wonderful week my friend....much love, james
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Date: 11/11/2011 3:31:00 PM
All that glitters is not gold, but - ahah! - some of it is. Good write. Love, daver
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Date: 11/11/2011 1:45:00 PM
This is just awesome, Carrie. A surefire winner
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Date: 11/11/2011 12:31:00 PM
Carrie, my sister used to read Poe, Coleridge, Blake and many others to me. I know how it feels to fall in love with words. Beautifully written -- each line so perfect. Wishing you success in the Glitter contest! As for the skating, I wrote the poem in first person, then changed it to Dee. The boys really didn't like it when the hockey coach asked me to teach them how to skate backward. Thanks for picking up on the "truth" in the poem. Love, Carolyn
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Date: 11/10/2011 6:21:00 PM
* “Trying to Recollect If I Have Ever Found A Poet or Poetess * My Dear Sweet Beautiful Carrie * That Has Ever Been Able to Tell Wonderful Stories Such As Your Magnificent & Gifted Beauty * My Thoughts Fail Myself to Find One, Yet * What Makes Your Majestic Light Sooo Much More Fabulous Is That * Your Words Amid Sooo Much Beauty * If You Were the Teacher I Would Fall In Love You, Too * Another Jewel for Your Beauties Crown * My Luv, Always * Sarah.” *
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