"...I always loved English because whatever human beings are, we are storytellers. It is our stories that give a light to the future. When I went to college I became a history major because history is such a wonderful story of who we think we are; English is much more a story of who we really are. It was, after all, Miss Delaney who introduced the class to
My candle burns at both ends; /It will not last the night; /But, ah, my foes, and, oh, my friends— /It gives a lovely light. And I thought YES. Poetry is the main line. English is the train."
This is an excerpt from the prose poem "In Praise of a Teacher" by Nikki Giovvani. The entire poem can be found at
The Writer's Almanac.
Dori has the Poetry Friday roundup today at
Dori Reads.
If Poetry is the main line, and English is the train, thn txtng is th cboose.
ReplyDeleteWonderful poem to read as so many start the new school year. All Aboard!
ReplyDeleteIt's always inspiring to read other's memories of a teacher's influence. Our job is so important, isn't it? Thanks, Mary Lee.
ReplyDeleteLove this. Thanks for sharing, Mary Lee. We were discussing college major options with our high school senior yesterday - advising our son to major in his passion. (I was a happy English major!)
ReplyDeleteGreat pick for the new year, Mary Lee! (I was a happy English major, too, Robyn!)
ReplyDeleteLovely memory, and taken so much farther than just a sweet memory, taken to understanding. I love that.
ReplyDeleteI was a happy lit major, too.
ReplyDeleteI was inspired to write better poetry by a crabby, pedantic high school teacher who took one look at my writing and called it 'juvenile'. He also gave me my first book of e.e. cummings poems. He was quite a character.