Machine Gun Smith : How my High School English Teacher Shaped Me

educators
have keen eyes
not dissimilar to that of birds
when it comes to spotting
a shiny object
not visible from the ground

tribute.
expression.

Good teachers are like point guards,  they see the floor and hand off for an easy score. ... Thank you Mr. Fusion

It's funny the ones that manage to reach us deeply enough to make a lasting impression. I think we were called "high energy" back then, before they had a diagnosis to slap on us. Much respect to your MG Smith in gratitude she kept you writing

She was a terror to some and to me too actually,  but she saw something in me that I didn't see myself till much later on ..... Thank you !!!

good teachers should inspire - that to me is the most important part of their job :-)

your poetry has often inspired me so there you are passing it on :-) thank you :-)

Kind of you to say Sir D It goes both ways,  when I read you I feel the power to let it fly ....

Echo David Macleod.

Thx Solomon

She was areal street fighter with a literary heart

Mine's name was Beast Beason and she was the bomb. She'd've taken on every urban legend and sci-fi creation and won against them all.

Right there with you on the influence of her in my Life.

Bigger than life, these people are ... Thx

Boss.. nice tribute.. i can relate.. mine wasn't so much about my future as a writer.. her name was, Mrs. Razor and yes an english teacher.. i sucked at school, because of my rebellious nature.. i didn't meet her, till my senior year.. she taught at what was called, "alternative school".. it was for students behind in credits, and trying to graduate.. i only spent half a semester there.. but she said something that stuck with me.. that none of the students, in her room were dumb.. we all learn differently, and most mainstream teachers just didn't give a fuck about us.. but she did.. the only thing she ever said about my writing, was i had passion.. to make a long story short.. i had no chance of graduating in a years time.. but because of her, i had the courage to go after my G.E.D. and i scored very high.. when i got my diploma, she was in attendance.. and she whispered to me, on my way out.. never let anybody, tell you.. you can't do something.. that stuck.. sorry for the long story.. very few people have heard this piece of my life.. thanks for making me, remember a lady.. who truly changed my life.. cheers...



















Dave

Thx for your story Dave Glad you had the courage to finish school and move on from there Think it's important to honor those who gave a shit to help .....

Your MG Smith was my Mrs. Wall....love the hell out of that lady..we STILL talk and she was my FIFTH grade teacher...I could read like the wind...but retaining it, another story...she called it...made me start over as if in third grade...she was a teacher that made a difference, just as your MG...excellent street cred you've given her here...this makes me feel cozy...perhaps I'll give my MG a call...

life changing like

- S
xx

You should call her Tell her Poe says YO

Thanks for submitting your poem to my competition, PoetSpeak. Even though she was strict, your teacher saw potential and rewarded hard work where it mattered. Nicely done.

It was a bad time in my teenage years and I was looking for someone to see something in me worth both saving and encouraging.  I didn't mind her strictness, she actually made me want to work harder to prove something to her.
Many thanks for your comment and for hosting the comp !!

Appreciate

Poetspeak

This is amazing. People can really affect us!
I like “street cred finally!”
And of course her nickname.
Tough situation turned positive and your humor stayed in spite of it all!

It was a bad time in my life and I really needed a boost and it came by the way of MG.  I'll always be grateful...

Thanks so much NG
Women who go my initials mean something to me !

BIG THANKS

Lovely... Thank you to Ms smith from my side too..
many times good and bad things happen in life.. and the reason behind it is always a person like ms smith...

Yes
I remember her fondly
She was an early mentor
I try to mentor people now, I'm of the age to do that and it's a process of giving back your experiences, knowledge and wisdom..

Yes