This is written for Round 2 of the Slam! |
The Anomalous Pupil The last time I saw her, She stood apart from us: The one and only anomalous pupil, Cross-eyed, stupid-faced smiler That she was-- She had a grotesquely poor memory, Awful syntax, worrying spelling (as our teacher Mrs. Simone put it), And yet, she danced well, Tapping her feet in perfect sync With music-- I think of her at times, She appears on my mental canvas like a breath-taking sunset, Mellow and enchanting, Quiet and interesting That she was-- She laughed crookedly, She spoke terribly and ate sloppily (it was such a funny sight to behold) And yet, when she walked into class, Everyone paused and looked at her with awe and pleasure-- She dropped out in a few months, A victim of strange policies- Where academic brilliance and intellect rule, And shyness and meekness are pushed aside At the altar of education. The last time I saw her, I kissed her good-bye, She went with tears on her anguished face, But the smile never did waver, Ugly, yet beautiful. © Dr. Taher Kagalwala 2004 Prompt: Write a poem beginning with "The last time I saw him/her ..." Written for:
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