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Machine Gun Smith : How my High School English Teacher Shaped Me
Everyone was afraid of Miss Smith
She went by the name M.G. Smith
The students knew her as Machine Gun Smith
She scared the crap out of most people
Strict was an understatement
She drank whiskey and smoked Lucky Strikes
I was in awe of her
School was not my thing
I was a terrible student
An outsider who never fit in
I probably had Attention Deficit Disorder
It was long ago
I don't think there was a name for it then
We were given an assignment
Choose one word and craft an essay
I went obscure and chose the word "Look"
Everyone else went traditional
I was honored when she read mine out loud
Street cred finally, recognition for taking a chance
MG was tough on me
My grammar sucked and structure was lacking
Yet her praise that day opened me up
I came out of the shadows
She gave me personal hope
I am grateful to this day ......
She went by the name M.G. Smith
The students knew her as Machine Gun Smith
She scared the crap out of most people
Strict was an understatement
She drank whiskey and smoked Lucky Strikes
I was in awe of her
School was not my thing
I was a terrible student
An outsider who never fit in
I probably had Attention Deficit Disorder
It was long ago
I don't think there was a name for it then
We were given an assignment
Choose one word and craft an essay
I went obscure and chose the word "Look"
Everyone else went traditional
I was honored when she read mine out loud
Street cred finally, recognition for taking a chance
MG was tough on me
My grammar sucked and structure was lacking
Yet her praise that day opened me up
I came out of the shadows
She gave me personal hope
I am grateful to this day ......
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Re. Machine Gun Smith : How my High School English Teacher Shaped Me
28th Jul 2017 12:45pm
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.
have keen eyes
not dissimilar to that of birds
when it comes to spotting
a shiny object
not visible from the ground
tribute.
expression.
0
Re: Re. Machine Gun Smith : How my High School English Teacher Shaped
28th Jul 2017 12:49pm
Good teachers are like point guards, they see the floor and hand off for an easy score. ... Thank you Mr. Fusion
Re. Machine Gun Smith : How my High School English Teacher Shaped Me
Anonymous
28th Jul 2017 2:30pm
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
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Re: Re. Machine Gun Smith : How my High School English Teacher Shaped
28th Jul 2017 2:33pm
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 !!!
Re. Machine Gun Smith : How my High School English Teacher Shaped Me
28th Jul 2017 4:42pm
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 :-)
your poetry has often inspired me so there you are passing it on :-) thank you :-)
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Re: Re. Machine Gun Smith : How my High School English Teacher Shaped
28th Jul 2017 8:29pm
Kind of you to say Sir D It goes both ways, when I read you I feel the power to let it fly ....
Re. Machine Gun Smith : How my High School English Teacher Shaped Me
28th Jul 2017 10:09pm
Re. Machine Gun Smith : How my High School English Teacher Shaped Me
28th Jul 2017 10:21pm
Re. Machine Gun Smith : How my High School English Teacher Shaped Me
29th Jul 2017 00:29am
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.
Right there with you on the influence of her in my Life.
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Re: Re. Machine Gun Smith : How my High School English Teacher Shaped
29th Jul 2017 1:09pm
Re. Machine Gun Smith : How my High School English Teacher Shaped Me
Anonymous
29th Jul 2017 1:06am
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
Dave
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Re: Re. Machine Gun Smith : How my High School English Teacher Shaped
29th Jul 2017 1:10pm
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 .....
Re. Machine Gun Smith : How my High School English Teacher Shaped Me
Anonymous
29th Jul 2017 2:16am
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
life changing like
- S
xx
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Re: Re. Machine Gun Smith : How my High School English Teacher Shaped
29th Jul 2017 1:12pm
Re. Machine Gun Smith : How my High School English Teacher Shaped Me
10th Jan 2023 3:20am
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.
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Re: Re. Machine Gun Smith : How my High School English Teacher Shaped
10th Jan 2023 3:41am
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
Many thanks for your comment and for hosting the comp !!
Appreciate
Poetspeak
Re. Machine Gun Smith : How my High School English Teacher Shaped Me
17th Feb 2023 2:18am
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!
I like “street cred finally!”
And of course her nickname.
Tough situation turned positive and your humor stayed in spite of it all!
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Re: Re. Machine Gun Smith : How my High School English Teacher Shaped
17th Feb 2023 2:49am
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
Thanks so much NG
Women who go my initials mean something to me !
BIG THANKS
Re. Machine Gun Smith : How my High School English Teacher Shaped Me
Anonymous
17th May 2024 1:34pm
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...
many times good and bad things happen in life.. and the reason behind it is always a person like ms smith...
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Re: Re. Machine Gun Smith : How my High School English Teacher Shaped
17th May 2024 1:38pm
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..
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..
Re: Re. Machine Gun Smith : How my High School English Teacher Shaped
Anonymous
17th May 2024 1:42pm
Yes
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