Ken, that really captures a lot...
I thought I had more to say, but that's plenty
P
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Poetryetc provides a venue for a dialogue relating to
> poetry and poetics [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
> Behalf Of Kenneth Wolman
> Sent: 17 July 2005 01:36
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: "The Teacher"--REVISED
>
> THE TEACHER
>
> Expectations, hopes, why.
> Because.
>
> You have come for something.
>
> She learned from Bream,
> Williams, even Segovia.
>
> She does not act famous
> no great lady noblesse oblige
> instead excuses herself before you start, sprays her plants,
> talks to them
>
> she does not play the guitar for you
> you don't dare ask
>
> demonstrations are not in the fee
> they are not even extras
> they are irrelevant
>
> it's not about her but you
>
> a gift--
> the hour is wholly yours.
>
> Age horrifies
> she is as old as you
>
> but has a hundred concert posters
> lining her studio walls
> herself and people she's taught
>
> you are the novice
> trying to find out how to hold your hands
>
> to learn how playing the classical guitar is an unnatural act
>
> But you don't come back
> Can't
> overreacher
>
> Is this a surprise?
> Is any new heartbreak more
> than cause for a yawn?
>
> Education is for the comfortable
>
> Frederick of Prussia could afford
> Joachim Quantz to teach him flute
>
> But you--your children are too old to sell they are of age
> and can object
>
> But: you learned how to hold your hands
> on the guitar.
>
> They are curved in supplication.
>
> KTW/7-16-05
>
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