almost got it

almost got it

---------

[b]old knaves thrive
without [a] grain of sense,
[b]ut good men starve
for want of impudance
---Dryden
---------

can't pinpoint the exact day
I realized the people I'd
deferred to for so many years
didn't and don't know as much
about their so-called field
of expertise as I did and do

the recognition changed
my life, sparked a confidence
I had not known before

wasn't long later I decided
I knew enough to teach those
that need learnin'

after a time---damn!---it became
painful clear that those that
need the learnin' mostly seek
the guidance of those who talk
a good line but in fact don't
know their craft like they ought

so I'm done with teachin' now;
ain't no point---ain't no
customers to speak of

my next move?

I'll go right back to deferrin'
to those folk who think they're
best at what they know though
aren't

I've an appointment set with
such a person first thing
tomorrow

hopefully he'll help me unlearn
a few things to make me
a whoppin' amount less
knowledgeable

for which I'll be forever'n
ever grateful

who knows? maybe I can
dislearn enough to try my hand
at teachin' again ...

and maybe this time make
a good go of it

About This Poem

About the Author

Country/Region: USA

Comments

themoonman

17 years 9 months ago

Yes...

sometimes too much learnin does us in we get dropped back to begin again lots said in this one Chuck... isn't it wonderful when some young-un shows us what we don't know.. Richard

Sinbadthesailorman

17 years 9 months ago

Oh Yes I'll go along with that

Point in case I use to be a damned good pool player eight ball nine until I was asked to play for a leguae team they taught me everything I was supose to know and now I have to be damn drunk to play my game but it gives me someting to do I don't know if they meant to screw me up or just couldn't rely on the ability I had at the time thier were intrested I told them I didn't have the drive they did or the need to prove myself I could prove it only when some big mouth would start mouthing off It might not be what we know but how we desire to use it and how we are allowed to use it Donnie/ Sinbad some times we must allow ourselfs to think and teach out of the box this seem to be a frustration in poem form

barbsdad2003

17 years 8 months ago

You're right, Donnie ...

that this is frustration written in a sort of poetic form---and meant to be satirical. The issue addressed arose from my experience of witnessing people (potential students) gravitating to what's most in fad/current/popular fashion in an effort to access a particularly difficult-to-learn skill ... when what was needed, of course, was bare-bones, down-to-earth skill acquisition, the nitty-gritty, the kind of learning that can only be taught well, and incrementally (by stages/steps), by persons most knowledgeable---and indeed those who possess the skills so sought after. Life's experience has taught me that the person with guru status (rather than one more knowledgeable)---the status of a sort of rogue messiah, if you will---will attract the most paying customers/students. The expert becomes sidelined. So there you have it. Sad fact of life it is. But it is so. Truly. Alas. Thanx, Chuck

Sinbadthesailorman

17 years 8 months ago

You know they say that you can't teach old dogs new tricks

But if you find a bigger and a better biscuit to train with the right dog is out there He or she is a hungry one I had and old school teacher as a neighboor when I was young who taught for teachings sake but she was retired and her husband left her a decent penion I would pick up her cigaretees at the local drug store she would teach me about dogs and birds and the piano but I could not learn the cords quick enough she passed before I mastered even chop sticks but the other things she taught me resurface time and time again the kids in the neighboor hood would bring her every injury varment rabbits and birds, cats, dogs, and a squirrle at time looked like a darn petting zoo she nurse them and set them free but she taught us the whole while And if you can teach just one she would say:it was worth it teach one what I always asked but she'd never answer hmm teaching is a noble thing but not every one wishes to learn but she taught in her latter years corvertly secretly and passively Donnie/ Sinbad

Janice Pearce

17 years 8 months ago

almost got it

Chuck boy, oh boy you hit the nail on the head with this! My pet peeve is the know it all who may have pulled all A's in school, but don't have a clue when it comes down to practical sense. [gotta laugh at this one]