[stylist] Poem: The Teacher of the Blind's If

[Jackie Williams]

Barbara,
This is such a comprehensive poem about all of the things a teacher of the blind should know, and written in rhymed verse, I find it  reflective of deep thought and much work.
While I do not see it as exactly a parody, which I think of as having some sardonic humor, I have not read "If" for years, and do not exactly remember it.
It would be interesting to read them side-by-side.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us. 

Jackie Lee

Time is the school in which we learn.
Time is the fire in which we burn.
Delmore Schwartz	 

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Barbara Hammel via stylist
Sent: Tuesday, March 10, 2015 11:27 AM
To: stylist at nfbnet.org
Subject: [stylist] Poem: The Teacher of the Blind's If

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
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