Category Archives: School

Field Trip on BART

Posted on September 25, 2015 by sputterpub

We stop in downtown Berkeley, and the car is overrun by youngsters out of school. Invaders of the quiet – that they are – who tripping to the field obey the rule of buddies and the principal request: “You guys, … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry, School | Leave a comment

Mattress Time

Posted on August 22, 2015 by sputterpub

It’s mattress time again – the season when the sidewalks draw the sleeping pads outside. As if attractive law induces men to harken to some kind of pavement tide, they must assist their mattresses to move, to rest on edge … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry, School | Leave a comment

Polymath

Posted on August 21, 2015 by sputterpub

I used to read voraciously, and all of it was fictional, but lately I’m attracted to the study of the small details of hormones, and the marks of time on islands, and the history of thought. I don’t know what’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry, School | Leave a comment

School (Part 3 of 3)

Posted on January 15, 2015 by sputterpub

Then there’s my niece. She did fine in school. Oh there were behavior problems (she didn’t fall far from the family tree), but she attended the required counseling and she had understanding and support through it all at home. She … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, School | Leave a comment

School (Part 2 of 3)

Posted on January 14, 2015 by sputterpub

School provided me with two goods: diversity and filtering. There I met liars, athletes, brainiacs, idiots, philosophers and bigots, poor losers and good Samaritans, bullies and sycophants. All of that diversity created an environment in which I learned how to … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, School | Leave a comment

School (Part 1 of 3)

Posted on January 13, 2015 by sputterpub

I once got sued by an asshole client. He claimed that I damaged him, but that was because he was nabbed in a crooked financial transaction and wanted someone, anyone but him, to pay for it. Swear to God: he … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, School | Leave a comment

History

Posted on November 4, 2013 by sputterpub

I don’t know why I never took to dates – my brain retreats from listed history. I’m talented with numbers in all states, and puzzles with their tricky mystery intrigue and challenge me, but as a rule, this memory impressive … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry, School | Leave a comment

Bad Teachers

Posted on August 25, 2011 by sputterpub

I don’t want to sound disrespectful. I know the good ones won’t take it personally because this doesn’t apply to them. But I’m tired of pretending that all teachers (or soldiers) are heroes. Sure their jobs are important. But not … Continue reading →

Posted in School | Leave a comment

Thayer House

Posted on June 9, 2011 by sputterpub

  There were so many of us kids in the 1950s, with parents all revved up about the American dream, that communities were forced to be eccentric about schoolhouses and calendars. Historic buildings were converted to limited-grade schools, split sessions … Continue reading →

Posted in School | 7 Comments

Sally’s Tell-Tale Heart

Posted on June 2, 2011 by sputterpub

  I’m trying to recall the specifics, and I think what I’m about to describe occurred during the winter of 1964-65. There was one stormy day in high school when we all stayed inside for P.E., and sat on the floor, … Continue reading →

Posted in Lessons, School | Leave a comment