Daver Austin Poet Free verse

One Line

ONE LINE

I’m remembering a class I taught at
Bohank Business School,
Poetry 101 –
The grading papers chore,
The mental anguish,
God. what a bore!

It seems that President Swink fancied himself
        gifted
In the writing of verse
And as I’d been published – 
Had a name of sorts, you see -
He’d upgrade Bohanks image -
Poetry 101 fell to me

This journeyman’s folly
Was considered a snap, 
A way to fill out the transcript
 Least amount of pain.
 Nebulous text,
 No mental strain

Imagine the skill of my students,
Among them not a three-point
Most were, like, car wash wash-outs    or
“Welcome to Walmart, sir “
“Like fries with that?”
Minds a desperate blur

“Write an original poem”
I had instructed after weeks of
Stuffing the 30 with Longfellow, Auden
“Make it short,
No clichés, hates    or
X-rated dates”

There was this one stud – Alex Smart –
I real wise guy was he, 
Ass should have been an added last name
He would yawn    
Ask dumb questions    yawn
When I’d illuminate
He’d yawn       add on

I’d graded 30, near given up for the night
Next in stack was Smart’s poem,
A ballad      “Love’s Delight”
The first two stanzas were ho hum
I thought of his yawn       angered
Night’s drudgery definitely done!

Then one line with…a…a just-fit word
Hit my mind like a soft beam of light
And I sought to recapture the title
Yes!      “Love’s Delight”
Smart’s poem a delight
Just one line had made my night

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Muhammad Safa Thajudeen May 3, 2014 at 10:43 PM Good.

Chuck Melugin January 16, 2014 at 1:55 AM Well written Daver! r u still teaching? My best, chuck Daver Austin January 16, 2014 at 10:03 AM I've been retired for many years, thank you, and don't miss it. However, I've known many that loved their teaching work. daver

Kathryn Collins January 12, 2014 at 10:28 AM Dear Daver - A line is sometimes worth an entire poem and makes a person want to steal it, surround it with your (not 'you') own wanton words. love this, Kathy

Michelle Mac Donald January 10, 2014 at 12:52 PM Makes me miss the students and their authentic and unpredictable natures. Love this piece, Daver! Reminds me of..(of course some things will remind me of something else) a plaster wall figure given, with a note added, "the beauty behind chipped paint". You'd found a gem inside of Smart's poem.:) Keep well, love, Mikki

Andrea Dietrich January 9, 2014 at 7:08 PM hahaha, finding the good in just one line. That's about all you can do sometimes with a certain kind of student. Don't I know it!!!

Joe Maverick January 8, 2014 at 4:47 PM A beautiful memory you bring us here Daver, good to see a new one from, a good hearted true to life, and valued writer.. Take care Joe..)

Syam Madappattu January 8, 2014 at 9:27 AM What a fate that you have gone through ,Daver...clear punch of humor.As a teacher I could feel the situation..the mirth and absurdity.....love...Syam

Nette Onclaud January 7, 2014 at 9:11 AM when you hit the nail on ot's head, it fires you up... stunning rambling about finding the right thing at the right time... tremendous work,daver!..huggs