My family is a bit odd. We find it amusing to write poems for each other with the same rhyme scheme as the old famous ones of yesteryear. My own personal favourite poem to play upon happens to be the “Robinson Crusoe Story” (probably hop on over and have a quick read or you’ll think I’m nuts). I had a missed student yesterday and just happened to be uber-organized. At loose ends, I relaxed with my mac book and this is what happened…. thought I’d share it as I’m sure you can all relate 🙂
My studio is quiet
there’s no Stacy, Dave or Wyatt,
the keys on my piano they lay still.
And for a moment all my stickers
and my bucket full of Snickers
can also take a moment and just chill.
The day it started nicely
and my student came precisely
five minutes late just like he always does.
His books were in a puddle
and his mom was in a muddle
but he’d colored me a picture just because.
As I hung it on my wall
(taking note of what he’d scrawled)
“I love to play piano all day long!”
My heart it felt so happy
all these pictures, each quite sappy,
meant the impact I was making was quite strong.
All too fast his lesson’s done
(time flies when things are fun!)
He hauls those books back out into the rain.
And then there’s smiling Troy,
man this day is filled with boys!
And I start the lesson process all again.
This boy is quick and crazy
but this ‘teach’ she is not lazy
and I wrangled him with games and props to boot.
I know he must have got it
for his smile showed he bought it
and he played that piece so well I had to hoot.
And next there came a student
she’s so careful, shy and prudent
that I had to work to bring about a grin.
With my careful choice of words,
a song with pedal, lots of thirds,
She’s thrilled… and now I need to teach her twin.
There’s been four kids on my bench,
it’s “that” season… so I drench
with Lysol by the gallon so it seems
And still she’s going to cough
and those germs they seem to scoff
at the wipes and sprays, the gels and all the creams.
Five more kids… I’m getting tired!
It’s hard work to keep inspired
all these children whom I teach here day to day.
But it’s worth it we all know
and this gift we give will grow
and change the world by teaching kids to play.
We want to see your creativity shine! We’ll give a free copy of The Adventures of Fearless Fortissimo Episode 1 or Episode 2 to the person who writes the best stanza of their own (with the same rhyme scheme) to add to this poem! Enter by writing your stanza in the comment section below. Winner will be chosen on Friday, November 2nd, 2012.
Happy Thursday… happy teaching 🙂
Jennifer Foxx says
Very cute!
Diane says
Love it!
Lavinia Livingston says
As I woke before 6 am this morning to start the day, your poem is the first thing I read. As to-do’s swirl in my head, readng your poem so clearly expresses the dynamics of our days as piano teachers. What a challenge we face to renew ourselves every 30 to 45 minutes to be the best we can be for each child who walks into our piano room. I love your poem.
Andrea says
Hi Lavinia – thanks for commenting! Yes, it’s a very unique job in this way isn’t it?! Glad to brighten your morning 🙂 Have a great day.
Emily Davidson says
With Fortissimo, who’s fearless,
Lesson time is fun and tearless,
And your boys go home inspired to play more;
And soon, before you know it,
Your studio will show it
With broad smiles and happy artwork on the door!
Andrea says
Oh you’re clever Emily! 🙂
Janell says
You ladies are so clever,
I could never, ever, ever,
think up something to compare with what you wrote.
Perhaps with prose and letters,
I should leave it to my betters,
and resign myself to merely learn to quote.
Andrea says
Fabulous Janell! 🙂
Bev Conway says
Trying to explain (to myself and others) how exhausting it can be to teach piano is hard. But your poem covered it all: needing to think fast – on your feet, so to speak – as each student brings a new and different challenge! And having such a strong desire to give each one the gift of joy in the music; that’s a hard one just by itself!
Andrea says
Hi Bev – it is hard to explain isn’t it! Thank goodness we have such a fantastic community on this and our FB page who all “get it”!
Sara Winger says
Now on November first
the students seem to burst
with sweets they’ve gotten trick or treating.
So teachers must be ready
with music fun but steady
to keep their attention, oh so fleeting!
Andrea says
Oooh! Good one Sara!
Jeannie Myers says
I have a 9 year old named Romeo who is proundly mentally challenged. He weighs 45 lbs and has been in a body cast most of his life. I teach him by color-coding the piano keys. He plays with his right hand only. “A” is orange; he plays by low, middle, and high. He has been working on “They’ll Be Back” for about 4 months now and knows the first 8 measures.
Here comes my little Romero
He loves Fearless Fortissimo
He doesn’t read notes but he knows red, green, blue, and black
He may be 9 but he cannot talk
He sits to dance ‘cuz he cannot walk;
He puts the colors together and plays “They’ll Be Back.”
Andrea says
I just love this Jeannie! You’ve made my night with this story 🙂
Rebekah says
Now when the parents come along
And want to hear their child’s song,
They listen and then proudly they will say,
“My child is doing great
And practices quite late
Because you take the time to show the way.”
Andrea says
You are all so clever! Nice work Rebekah 🙂
Leah Murphy says
And, as tired as you feel,
Those kids’ capacities to steal
Your heart and soul (and they do, each boy and girl)
Will keep you going till the last
When at the end of final class
You smile and know you wouldn’t swop it for the world!
Andrea says
Excellent Leah!
Jeannie Myers says
I was just rereading and noticed I misspelled profoundly. Romeo is only 38″ tall. I have recorded the Fearless music because he loves to sit on the bench and dance to the music. We use the term “noodle” for him to just pick at the keys and enjoy the sound. I love that term which you came up with about 2 months ago. It’s different and the parents of this young man love being able to use terms that they get to explain.
Andrea says
How lucky he is to have you as a teacher Jeannie! It brings tears to my eyes thinking of how much you must mean to him…. and to his parents I’m sure.
Jeannie Myers says
I have 6 mentally challenged students — the oldest being 38. Two years ago I posted on Craigslist — Dallas — for free or cheap keyboards because at that time I had 4 in the same group home. The response was unbelievable. People were so kind and generous. I had 3 left over for later use. Music is great for these kids — really helps with the anger issues so many of them deal with. The state will pay for their lessons once you have established yourself or their family will pay. All of the kids get SSI so they can pay themselves. But at every recital, they just beam! Families see the improvement of their child’s life and so there is always lots of Kleenix used.