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just for Jenna... and any other teachers
#1

... relax, Horrible, I'm not writing love notes to yer sweetie.

Today I was down on my knees rooting through the poetry section of a used bookstore when I found a book by my grade 13 English teacher. (Yes, we had grade 13 in Ontario, back then. That's not the point.) It was published 3 years ago. (That's not the point either. Shut up.)

This guy is a good enough poet to call himself a poet in the company of poets, without embarrassing himself and those around him. He was also one of my favourite teachers, back then. I was knocked dead to find his book.

One of his poems describes the reams of paper that come into a school, only to get recycled and forgotten, and the hope that a few sheets do something important.

So I wrote him a letter, c/o his publisher, and said hey, some of them do. Because finding his book made my day.

That's my inspirational post for the year. I will now return to being needlessly negative.
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#2

Thanks for the post, Skippy. It makes me feel good to know that one can teach and not become a creative black hole in the process. I would love to read the poem in question , since that's such a sad and wonderful image. There's something about the idea of knowledge and creativity cast aside, recycled, and started anew the next year that really appeals to me. Enough of my prattling, I'll let you get back to your cynicism.

-Jenna
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#3

I found the poem in question...

Oh my what a waste,
There must be a use for this,
Ah ha, get the weed!!
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#4

skippy the wonder dog Wrote:... relax, Horrible, I'm not writing love notes to yer sweetie.

Today I was down on my knees rooting through the poetry section of a used bookstore when I found a book by my grade 13 English teacher. (Yes, we had grade 13 in Ontario, back then. That's not the point.) It was published 3 years ago. (That's not the point either. Shut up.)

This guy is a good enough poet to call himself a poet in the company of poets, without embarrassing himself and those around him. He was also one of my favourite teachers, back then. I was knocked dead to find his book.

One of his poems describes the reams of paper that come into a school, only to get recycled and forgotten, and the hope that a few sheets do something important.

So I wrote him a letter, c/o his publisher, and said hey, some of them do. Because finding his book made my day.

That's my inspirational post for the year. I will now return to being needlessly negative.

Skippy, that post was encouraging and uplifting. And the world didn't collapse in on itself like a dying star. Wow.

Seriously, I like the story though. Thanks.

Jeff

June 21, 2003 Toronto, ON: SkyDome
July 1, 2004 Toronto, ON: Molson Amphitheatre
November 26, 2004 Toronto, ON: Air Canada Centre
June 24, 2006 Toronto, ON: Historic Fort York
May 10, 2007 Indianapolis, IN: The Vogue
July 14, 2011 Edmonton, AB: Northlands Festival Site
June 30, 2012 Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON: The Commons at Butler's Barracks
January 23, 2013 Edmonton, AB: Rexall Place
July 28, 2016 Edmonton, AB: Rexall Place
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#5

fingernailsonhull Wrote:Skippy, that post was encouraging and uplifting.

I apologize for my behaviour.

I was drunk at the time.
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#6

robert goulet Wrote:I found the poem in question...

Oh my what a waste,
There must be a use for this,
Ah ha, get the weed!!

Ah yes, the infamous "stoner's haiku"... If you want to really impress people, you should post the "hobo's limerick".
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#7

Shane Kroeker Wrote:
robert goulet Wrote:I found the poem in question...

Oh my what a waste,
There must be a use for this,
Ah ha, get the weed!!

Ah yes, the infamous "stoner's haiku"... If you want to really impress people, you should post the "hobo's limerick".

There once was a man from Nantucket...

Jeff

June 21, 2003 Toronto, ON: SkyDome
July 1, 2004 Toronto, ON: Molson Amphitheatre
November 26, 2004 Toronto, ON: Air Canada Centre
June 24, 2006 Toronto, ON: Historic Fort York
May 10, 2007 Indianapolis, IN: The Vogue
July 14, 2011 Edmonton, AB: Northlands Festival Site
June 30, 2012 Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON: The Commons at Butler's Barracks
January 23, 2013 Edmonton, AB: Rexall Place
July 28, 2016 Edmonton, AB: Rexall Place
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