Sample Teacher Poem
From SiteIPLTeenPoetryWiki
Drill by Mindy Starn1
A retired
Navy Captain,
that should have.
He would pace
through the format
of desks,
his dull, grey,
wooden-soled shoes
resounding
through the Pinesol-clean room,
like soldiers' rifles
clattering against their metallic
chests.
His parasite-like presence,
looming,
over you.
A steel voice clutching your brain.
Even when he left the room,
no one dare stir,
for his footsteps were no longer
harsh.
They became those
of a moccasined Indian,
Stalking his prey.
Pray?
That you must.
- Tsujimoto, J. (1988). Teaching poetry writing to adolescents. ERIC Clearinghouse on Reading and Communication Skills, National Council of Teachers of English: Urbana, IL.
