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Thoughts On Back To School

Parks are closing, children back to school Hopefully learning about the Golden Rule, And other important info about unnecessary strife Maybe even some very basic facts of life, Learning to stand up straight and tall The importance of always following the law, Perhaps even how to read a good book [Flipping the pages, at least taking a look] From a fine librarian they see as a grump Trying to get them over another hump They'll most likely turn out just fine Especially those children I call mine, As for yours I'm afraid I cannot guarantee Since I know nothing about your progeny. Written September 8, 2022

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Caren Krutsinger

Date: 9/13/2022 6:42:00 AM

This is basically all I teach "Hopefully learning about the Golden Rule," - responsibility, respect, kindness, anti-bullying - it is all there.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 9/13/2022 8:24:00 AM

You are doing it right, Caren.

Gershon Wolf

Date: 9/11/2022 6:03:00 PM

Ha, ha. The last couplet sure is a zinger... As for learning taking place in school, post Covid: We shall see...

L Milton Hankins
Date: 9/11/2022 7:59:00 PM

Hmmm...I still believe in the dedicated teachers we have in our schools, gw. I am perplexed by radical demands interfering with the classrooms, especially in the elementary grades. And, unfortunately, dedicated teachers are bailing out in droves. I have teachers in my family in Florida and Virginia, so I keep in touch with what's going on. It's not a pretty picture under DeSantis, I'm afraid. When schools become political pawns, it cannot have a good ending. But, despite everything, intelligent youngsters will do just fine. I believe that!

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 9/9/2022 7:50:00 PM

this is SO cool, Milt. I smell a WIN

L Milton Hankins
Date: 9/9/2022 9:12:00 PM

Thank you so much, Andrea, but this was not written for a contest. I think I may have written something a while back that I did enter in a contest.

Linda Alice Fowler

Date: 9/9/2022 8:07:00 AM

teehee Milt. You've captured it with your last four lines! :) Linda

L Milton Hankins
Date: 9/9/2022 8:16:00 AM

Thanks, Linda. That's pretty much how I see it.

Jenna Logan

Date: 9/9/2022 7:00:00 AM

A little nostalgia rides along with these lines, Milt. School is quite a bit different these days. Things learned in school are not always put to good use, and those learned on the streets are abused. I liked the humor in the last two lines.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 9/9/2022 8:17:00 AM

Thanks, Jenna. Ah, I know things are entirely different now than I remembered. Even teaching....

Mike Gentile

Date: 9/9/2022 6:00:00 AM

Milt, I thoroughly enjoyed your "Back To School" lines, especially the grumpy librarian!! You brought back such nice memories for me of my own school days! So nicely written !! Happy Friday!!!

L Milton Hankins
Date: 9/9/2022 8:17:00 AM

Thanks, Mike. I had fun writing this. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Have a terrific weekend, my friend.

Charles Messina

Date: 9/9/2022 3:08:00 AM

Very nicely written, Milton. The one thing in my life that I regret. Dropping out of school when I was fifteen to go to work as a carpet installer. 48 years later...I am still installing carpet (lol). Thank God my children didn't follow my footsteps. have a great weekend my friend. Charlie

L Milton Hankins
Date: 9/9/2022 8:20:00 AM

You know, Charles, these days I encourage young people to find something they enjoy and do it. That's what's most important, IMHO.

Tom Cunningham

Date: 9/9/2022 2:28:00 AM

Brought back memories off when I was at school, thought the summer break would last forever, how wrong was I. Tom

L Milton Hankins
Date: 9/9/2022 8:21:00 AM

Time sure has a way of changing as we age, Tom. Thanks for your comment.

Michael Tor

Date: 9/8/2022 10:15:00 PM

Like Jeff's response. As for me Milton my daughter is working on her Masters degree in Journalism and Teaching. She speaks and writes in three languages. Italian, English, and Spanish. She works full time and this year she should have her degree completed. When she was seven she had several thousand students follow her Spanish soap opera she use to write a script for and the kids would comment on. She has a gift in writing and conveying but doesn't do Poetry. Enjoyed sharing today with you...

L Milton Hankins
Date: 9/9/2022 8:22:00 AM

Thanks so much, Michael. Your daughter sounds like a very accomplished woman. I know you are quite proud of her.

Jeff Kyser

Date: 9/8/2022 7:46:00 PM

I’ve been so impressed with my daughter’s efforts at home schooling her kids. They meet with a larger group once a week and get good social,skills. Genevieve in particular is reading way ahead of her actual years.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 9/8/2022 8:00:00 PM

That's good, Jeff. I have two nieces who were home schooled clear through high school. Both graduated from college. One is in charge of an elementary visual arts center (library) and the other is in hospital administration. I always looked askance at home schooling, but nothing will change one's opinion like success! Good luck in your daughters efforts. I'm sure Genevieve (in particular) will do well.