Sunday, November 8, 2009

Learning in Economic Quicksand

This poem was inspired by, and written to a 7th grade class in 1998. It is the message we must continue to send out to our children in reminding them that they are not our future. They are their future... our present.

CLASS ACT

... What each of you truly are ...
What most of us strive to be ...
I thank you for bringing new challenge into my life
Your affect was far more than you could see.
For, each smile, every round of applause (even the teeth sucking)
Reminded me of my youth ... A memory that confirms my growth.

Sure, it may seem like 100 years ago
And what you call ‘Bout It ... We called Cool.
But the message that never changes
is the reminder of hope and success:
To learn life’s best lessons ...
You have to stay in school.

But don’t just stay to take up space ...
Because the joke will be on you.
And it’s a joke that has no punch line,
Just confusion about what to do.

You see, right now you don’t need all the answers
You need questions, faith and love.
You need to believe in yourself more and more each day
And your true gang leader - the Lord up above.

For, from musty little 4 year old kids
to mellow 70 year old adults
He has truly welcomed us into this family and world.
His guidance will make strong men out of little boys,
And even stronger women out of little girls.

We don’t have to behave like clowns ...
but we choose to sometimes,
It’s safer than admitting how we feel.
At times it gives us the chance to exercise our imagination
And other times, it’s just a way of keepin’ it real.

Class Acts
... What each of you truly are ...
And the secret to maturing and living to be old ...
Stay focused on being your best
and making your choices right for you,
And thanks for letting me be a part of your life
During my day at the proud Black and Gold.

The Master of Listening

The Master of Listening
... and Smiling