There is a faint beam of light
Across this page; this notebook
That was a gift from a student
Who soon became a non-student
Due to budget cuts at one
Office where they did not
Need lessons in English
As a second language
Or any sort of teacher
Trying to communicate
Something.
*
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About the Creator
Kendall Defoe
Teacher, reader, writer, dreamer... I am a college instructor who cannot stop letting his thoughts end up on the page.
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Bryan Prince
Note: I wrote this several years ago when Bryan Prince, Bookseller, was voted the best independent bookstore in Canada in 2001. This was a very striking idea for my sense of my hometown. I was quite proud that it was being recognized (I sold my first self-published collection of poetry there). Unfortunately, they closed in 2018 after almost thirty years in the business (there is now a store called King W. Books there).
By Kendall Defoe about a year ago in Poets
Comments (24)
Life's little tragedies. I love that message about hearing what isn't said. So very true. Well said. Kudos.
Congratulations on Top Story! I was so happy to see it featured, you really deserved it with this one and I was going to say so in my original comment but didn't want to jinx it! 🎉
I love the message of this piece. Congratulations on Top Story!
Great depth in the read between the lines concept
Hi Kendall - It isn't what's "Not Being said" in my Biz ~ it's how we perceive the 'Tells & Body' language that tells us oftentimes the true tales - Lovely Presentation - Jay
Short-sighted & tragic.
Congratulations on achieving top story status!
This starts off beautiful and thoighful and turns! I love the way you developed this in so few lines! Congrats on a great Top Story, Kendall!
Congratulations Kendall! Very good piece.
We see and hear... Congratulations on Top Story!
Whoa!!! That was real! I'm glad it made it to the front-page where it belongs.
Congratulations on your Top Story❤️💯🎉
Less really is more and you surmised less perfectly. Congratulations on the Top Story 🎉
Oooh I like what you said (and didn’t say).
Well said. Congrats on the TS
I love the economic use of… language. How perfect. Congrats Kendall! 🥂
Congratulations on top story!!! 🎊🏆
I love how much of a story you are able to tell in so few words. Really poignant message here as well. Well done
Amazing writing 😉❤️📝❗
This was a relatable piece for me. I am a preschool teacher and it's hard to see students/ resources/ staff turned away because we don't have the budget... Are you also a part of the system?
I can feel the disgust toward the school (school system at large?) and it hits true. I've felt very similarly toward American education and what it chooses to prioritize for its students. Not what should be happening, especially when it comes to languages. And I love the quote at the end; just another way of saying "actions speak louder than words." In this case, that is so unfortunately true. Of course the other side of that in your poem is the student's gift. It's a beautiful contrast to the class that was cancelled. Both unspoken communication, each with vastly different impacts on the experiencer. Gorgeous poem. Sorry for rambling.
This was very deep for a short poem! Well done!
Awesome and simplistic!!! Loved it!!!♥️♥️💕
I really like this - it's simple yet kind of thoughtful and gentle, if that makes sense? It's also sad, but in a beautiful way. I can almost feel the warm sunshine and smell the kind of dusty scent that's so common in academic offices.