A Matter Of Respect – Author Laura Marie Clark

By Raja's Insight on October 14, 2016 • ( 0 )

A million voices rise yearly

In their thankful respect,

Cheering in warm delight

Giving praise where praise is due

Unheard of in England,

We marvelled at the sight

Of young students presenting

Flowers to us on Teacher’s Day

It taught us all a lesson

When we witnessed that homage:

The reverence we received;

The rewards of appreciation

It was never a part of my education.

The media, the public, the students;

From every direction I learned only

To disrespect my teachers

This refreshing show of courtesy,

Giving teachers their own day:

In Vietnam, we found this a relief

From disdainful home customs.

And so on that day I paused

To ponder my own ignorance;

When children admire their teachers,

It shows within their results

It is a method of mutual respect

I never knew between my teachers

And my young self; so I decided

To bring that sweet ovation home

It raised a question of our opinions,

Our image of greatness in this world:

Without venerating our educators

We reveal a darkness in society

We bow in respect to this system

But pay little heed to hard work

And every child in every school

Is taught to despise their teachers

But the best part of the day

Was by far the celebration:

On Teacher’s Day we drank and drank,

With no need to teach lessons!

Excerpt from the book “City Of The World”

About the Author

Laura is a writer and blogger near Lincoln, England. She is the author of City of the World – a collection of poems that take the reader on an adventure living and working as a teacher in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, to explore the highs and lows of life as an expat.

Visit Author Page At: www.ctupublishinggroup.com/laura-marie-clark.html