Category Archives: School

Smarmy

Posted on May 23, 2025 by sputterpub

When both the kids were ordered to the shrinkbecause of misbehavior school-detected,the first psychologists they came to thinkmoronic and dishonest. We expectedmuch better then we found, and soon rejectedthe ones who self-described as “special friend,”the ever-sympathetic and affected.It’s rare to … Continue reading →

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Defiance

Posted on May 22, 2025 by sputterpub

Rereading what I wrote when he was bornand till he left our home, I see how sweethe was before preschool. They set to warnus then of angry fits, when he’d defeattheir socializing systems with his scorn,rejecting time-outs like an obsoleteresponse. … Continue reading →

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On the Best Teacher

Posted on August 28, 2024 by sputterpub

Without a doubt the teacher I remember most of allwas given like a present in 5th grade.The man was smart, creative, wise, and I can still recallsome ways and means his teaching plan displayed: Like dictionary racing for a wordthat … Continue reading →

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Folie a Deux (After 50 Years)

Posted on March 18, 2024 by sputterpub

We met and soon became committed friends,eccentrics in our high school for 2 years,in thought and walks pursuing our own ends,diverging but with smiles, from our peers. And I assumed our efforts mutual.We seemed to have consensus for each act.We … Continue reading →

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Game Day

Posted on November 6, 2023 by sputterpub

On game days here, I’m usually insideor walking to the store. But SaturdayI set off from the city home, to ridethe subway with the game two hours away.The cars were crowded, T-shirted with prideof team, on chests and arms that … Continue reading →

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The Hyper Horde

Posted on August 22, 2023 by sputterpub

The hyper horde of freshmen have besetmy town of late. They pouredfrom cars, offloading gear, incurring debt:the hyper horde. In blue-and-yellow gear they arrowed towardlong registration lines, to stand and sweat,while I avoided streets they tour-explored. But waiting for my … Continue reading →

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Kinder Grad

Posted on June 15, 2023 by sputterpub

Matriculation is a minor ritewhen marking elevation to first grade.Free choice, a film, and donuts were delight,according to reports. The students played,the teacher sat – all suitably “last-dayed.”And though his folks expected he would grieveat change, it wasn’t sadness he … Continue reading →

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Skipping

Posted on November 23, 2022 by sputterpub

They had me skip a grade when I was young.From 3rd to 4th they boosted me mid-year.They thrust me into higher math amonga group of kids I didn’t know. My spheretransformed, I raced to learn to multiply(my 7’s, 8’s and … Continue reading →

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Teaching Fail

Posted on December 14, 2021 by sputterpub

I don’t recall exact atrocities,but I remember hating English classmost years of secondary school. The keysto wit and eloquence were not dispensed.The teachers made us write down summariesand our reactions – called them book reports.Diverting me from plots and mysteriesto … Continue reading →

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Filter Value

Posted on September 27, 2021 by sputterpub

I wavered at the academic gates –Should I attend the university?Or get to work at once, creatively?What benefit to further school awaits? My father had an answer good for me.He pointed to a million books, and saidif I encountered decent … Continue reading →

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