[stylist] Poem: The Teacher of the Blind's If
Barbara Hammel
poetlori8 at msn.com
Tue Mar 10 18:27:23 UTC 2015
Here is my attempt at a parody to Rudyard Kipling’s If.
THE TEACHER OF THE BLIND'S IF
By Barbara Hammel
IF you can spite the systems that oppress you
Because, they think, you're asking way too much,
Or help a parent with a different view
Realize that fingers see by touch;
If you can get that parent who is defiant
And the stubborn administrators of the school
To comprehend on print they are reliant
But print at any cost just isn't cool.
If you can face the monster of your own making
And see it for the thing it's meant to be,
If you can teach it to your pupils without quaking
Instead of as a chore that you must flee;
If you can master Nemeth without complaining
And music doesn't make your spirit quail,
And you believe there's no use in refraining
>From teaching every child the joy of Braille,
If you can turn away the public's view of blindness,
And, instead, affirm that blind is just a trait,
Rebuke their prejudice with strength and kindness
That blind is helpless, blind's a crushing freight;
If you can dream without the pride of sinners,
If you can think thoughts clouded not with fear;
If you can teach your students to be winners
And know you could accept one as your peer;
If you can reach beyond the books of learning,
And see blind adults as a great resource,
If you strive to do what's best--never turning--
Despite the hurdles placed along the course;
If, into each lesson, you can shine a beam
Which illuminates within the child's mind
That blindness skills will help achieve the dream,
Then you're an awesome teacher of the blind!
Writing free verse is like playing tennis with the net down.--Robert Frost
More information about the Stylist
mailing list