A Winning Handshake

Cherry

By Rhiannonw

Thu, 09 Sep 2021
  • 1319 reads
11 comments
 

Always in trouble,
mischievous, gullible,
embittered, a rebel –
but sport brought a medal;
in a dream he went forward
to receive the award,
extended his arm
for the usual handshake
– but it shook him awake –

that handshake was friendly and warm!
glanced up and the smile was genuine,
steady, and calm
and the words came with interest, concern
as he listened (first time!),
and the hand-squeeze was firm

 – maybe the effort was worth it,
maybe he would try;
this Head didn’t seem such a
really bad guy,
maybe he should hear what he had to say,
maybe there was something better
than just irritate and defy
the authorities day by day,
break rules, imaginatively disobey.

[IP: on things not being what they at first seem to be. ..anything that gives you a moment of surprise.]

 

Certificate U
Poem
Miscellaneous
Inspiration Point (work that responds to our weekly writing cue)

Comments

Submitted by Tom Brown on

It is always a very good thing to be able to see something from the other person's point of view also. Few people can really. One should try and practice it, I mean in general, any good teacher should have this kind of ability. To understand each other and bring us together.

Keep well Rhianonn! Tom

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, Tom. I wanted to convey not just the surprise of the lad (as in the IP point), but also how much of real concern and interest can be conveyed by just a few words, the look on your face or your handshake.

It came from a combination of incidents I had been reading about a hardened criminal, brought up to be so and in constant trouble, but firstly something sparked in him by getting award in sport in school, and much later in prison, he went to a different prison chapel service in order to meet someone who might help him in an escape attempt, but was shaken awake by the handshake on the way in, and actually listened to that man when he came to speak from the front , and ended up asking if he'd come to visit him, and a respected friendship grew and the man was soundly converted, and despite some ups and downs and provocations maaged to 'go straight'.. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you for the cherries. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

trouble, gullible, rebel are great!

This reminded me of that brilliant one of yours about homelessness?

"imaginatively disobey" this reminded me of some bright children, who put so much effort into not doing things. How wonderful to be able to help someone see "maybe the effort was worth it,/maybe he would try" and "maybe there was something better/ than just irritate and defy"

Such a hopeful, positive poem!

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, Di. Yes, I wanted to point to the way children caught up in trouble can notice if concenr and care is genuine just by the way of handshake etc.

And, yes, I did enjoy the words at the beginning that got the verse going! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Turlough on

This is great!

It saddens me that kids at school can be lablelled as trouble makers even if they are not but simply because they don't meet academic expectations. Your poem really demonstrates how we are all able to achieve something and how a bit of recognition gives us a warm buzz, probably inspiring us to go on and do more.

Turlough

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Sorry I missed this earlier. Interestingly someitmes the academically clever also get into giving their energies to  being troublemakers also! But for them too a bit understanding and commendation with the firmness as well as direction can be so appreciated, especially if there isn't much encouragement at home. Thanks for commenting! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Tom Brown on

A square has Two sides: The Inside and the Outside. There are Three sides to every argument: My side, Your side, and the Truth.

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Oouch! I hope the Lord has implanted in me a love of the truth, and a hatred of trying to deceive but I guess we still may get tempted to fudge sometimes. I hope he would trouble my conscience in that case.

But certainly in many situations in life that saying of two sides being untruthful in different ways does hold sadly, and all are happier if the truth is disclosed even if it hurts.

Rhiannon

 

Submitted by forest_for_ever on

The joy of teaching is seeing the transformations.  I never tired of it and your lovely piece took me right back there. Thank you.

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you. I remember your speaking of your genuine concerns for your pupils when teaching, as also for those you meet with problems nowadays. Rhiannon