School Of Thought

Always judge a person by their principles

But some haven’t had one of those

Since High School

You used to rule your own mind

You were the Head-Master

Now you’re not even the deputy

You’re just a janitor in your own mind

Scrubbing graffiti off the walls

And trying to get rid of the filth.

 

Yes, you got a new Principal

You invited him in, smiling

And showed him around the halls

Showed him all the classrooms

Taught him the thought process

Then you gave him all the keys

Put the curriculum in his hands

And the office with the big desk

And the nice leather swivel

That used to be yours

 

You used to have a teacher called Love

But a substitute was introduced

‘To teach a few lessons’

Her name was Lust

And her lessons were that much more fun

Her jokes that much funnier

She was that much cooler,

And her homework was so much more damn…enjoyable

That you barely noticed

When Love never returned.

 

New lessons were introduced

And older ones were scrapped -

Values, Conscience and Self-Respect -

“Obsolete in a newer, more competitive world.”

Newer, bolder teachers

With lessons like Hate, Apathy, Materialism

Taught you how to survive

Creativity was stifled - It’s obsolete too

And for your P.E

You practised the Rat Race…

 

“Don’t worry,” said the new Principal

His arm around your shoulders

“New curriculum for a new world.”

“I think -” you began

But he silenced you with a finger

“What’ve you been doing that for?

Leave that to us, sir, leave that to us…”

And you were shown the door

And he went back to putting

His feet up on your desk.

 

So you went back to class

To your glossy-paged textbooks

You keep your teachers in a box

Of moving pictures

And you sigh;

“Oh well

New curriculum for a new world.”

 

 

 

 

Author's Note

What do you think?

Reviews

[SINDE]

The Master's Master(TMM). This is just GREAT. 'The rat race' d'you remember it from TMA 1?

[Maureen Mwaniki]

I think this incredible!thats what i think!
Its somehow a silent condemntation of how we loose oursleves,our morals,values and beliefs and conform to the values (or lack of) of this world...very nudging!!am going back to school,re-evaluating my curriculum!thanx 4 the wake up call!:)

[Sherbs Dreaming Tree Of..]

I really enjoyed the flow of this and also the subject of judging someone by their past

[Alicia Schroeder]

This is a great peice, it reminds me of being forced to making changes..

[M.Babu]

When i start reading your work i always know i'm going to be thrilled beyond my mind. You've not disappointed with this piece.

"New lessons were introduced
And older ones were scrapped -
Values, Conscience and Self-Respect -
“Obsolete in a newer, more competitive world.”
Newer, bolder teachers
With lessons like Hate, Apathy, Materialism
Taught you how to survive
Creativity was stifled - It’s obsolete too
And for your P.E
You practised the Rat Race…"

This stanza just really did it for me 100%:) I sometimes feel like a janitor in my head cleaning other peoples dirt (grafitti). It's often hard to remain individual and maintain your personal values/morals. That's when the new Principal comes in with his Comic book smile and his Hardened Charisma to take the reins of the abandoned ship to steer it to easier waters. Well captured!
The cheekiness in your tone is so tangible but you still manage to keep the flow and pass a great message to your readers man. You truly, indubitably, beyond any doubt have the IT factor bro and i simply loved this.
TMA=GREATNESS!

[Jessica Alvarez]

well done :)

[FaithfullyJennyBear]

its good. You related it from your mind to a school. a bit like one of my poems. well done.