Sidney Beck Poet Narrative

The Lesson

THE   LESSON   

We were caught by the neighbourhood  tough guys:
Him and me  against  six  of the wrong kids to meet.
In just the wrongest  darkest  part of the street

Snowballs began to fly.  They out-gunned  us, and worse,
They shoved ice chunks into  each  harmless white missile.
Made it armoured  and a lot less fissile

Hit your head?   Painful.    In the eye?    Serious damage.  
We ran but I could outrun him, and did so,  saved my own skin
Sheltered behind door, though instinct told me it was a sin

He was alone to face the onslaught while I hid, coward.
He never said or did anything to punish me, which made me feel bad.
His forgiveness  was the best sort I ever had

I was eight  years old then, my lesson was  easy
Felt so bad  that I was never again a coward.  
Pity his way of giving the lesson was so hard.


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For Audrey Carey’s contest  “To err is human, to forgive divine”

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David Smalling December 9, 2010 at 5:20 AM We learn so much in childhood ... in a way schools do understand, students are still surpassing teachers expectation ... and surprising those significant friends. Well done, all the best in the contest

Carolyn Devonshire December 8, 2010 at 11:02 AM A lesson learned the hard way, Syd. I hope your friend wasn't hurt by the "tough guys." It was kind of him to forgive you, but children act on instince so I hope you have forgiven yourself as well. Good luck in Audrey's contest with this poignant poem! Love, Carolyn