2 Aug 2016

02 August

This day
Six years ago, having taught in schools for eleven years,
I entered a classroom
Again as a student, prone and vulnerable
And felt out of place
With a group of twittering, giggling girls and boys,
Almost
Like an artifact from some paleolithic age.
I quickly adapted myself, as I remembered
With fondness my friend at college - Joseph Leo
Who, had quit the Novitiate and was older than us,
Full of the elusive elixir of life, trying to mingle with
A bunch of 17-year olds fresh from school.

Now
As I teach 17-year olds fresh from school,
they remind me of 02 August, when
I had gone back to a 'Novitiate' myself to
Unlearn some, relearn some and somehow learn much
About the intuitive art and the calculated science of teaching.
The powerlessness of a student occupies the foreground
Of my mindscape every time I now enter the classroom
Filled with eager, restless, bubbly boys and girls...
More power to them for enRICHing my life!

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