Teaching Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

Often.
Those with closed minds and ears.
Also possess selective memories.
With arguments to pick.
Quick from lips to spew nonsense.

And often it is,
Not the pain sustained...
One feels to get,
Felt kept remembered.
It is the lesson taught.

A lesson taught,
Done to keep and not forget.
By a nonsense killer.
Equipped with experience.
And prepared to deliver,
To another unsuspecting...
Embarrassment.

Seldom does anyone,
Plan to teach unexpectedly.
Yet,
There is always someone...
Who wishes to test,
Another thought weak.
Because of their willingness,
To remain pleasant and respectful.

Seldom does anyone,
With dignity and identity intact.
Will stay calm and patient.
When what they have earned,
Is taken to turn...
Into a thoughtless and pointless,
Vicious verbal attack.

"Oh no they didn't?
I will make this as painless as possible.
But God...
Please consider the attempt I make.
To know I have been threatened.
To teach a lesson I did not intend."

But that teacher inside,
Can not be denied...
A lesson one begs to be taught.
Repeatedly if necessary.
Until that lesson stays.
Long after the pain of it has faded.
Leaving one who receives,
An understanding of their misdeed to do.
To finally get the message.
And a lesson to have learned it,
For the rest of their opened wide eyes life!

-I...I...
Thought you were someone else.-

"I can be.
But that 'someone else',
To disrespect and take for granted?
Had wasted too much time,
Giving it to you to play me for a fool."

-But...
You should have warned me.-

"I did.
Didn't you see my smile?
And my hand reaching for your throat? "

-Yeah.
That's when I started screaming.-

"Oh?
Was that you?
You look different.
Especially when your eyes are open wide.
And your mouth is screaming,
To be forgiven.
I apologize.
For a few seconds,
You reminded me of my past.
When I was asked to leave,
Teaching as a profession! "