High-Risk American

I’m a high-risk American,
a potential embarrassment to my country,
serving fifteen years with chalk-dusted fingers.
Compassion stings like a vaccine no one will take
due to fear of authority or god’s wrath.

I’m a high-risk American,
an acceptable loss for my country,
tortuously teaching youth the truth.
Illegally instructing the less fortunate
to jimmy the locks of their own cages.

I’m a high-risk American,
collateral damage in my country’s crossfire,
investing in the future without a bulletproof vest.
Maybe one day, I will be remembered
as brave, unmasked and seen.

Is there a better banner
for the home of the free?
The teacher,
who stands longer than most,
takes less, forgives more.

I wrote a shell of this poem many years ago, but so many of the lines seem true now, so it was time to take it out and give it new life and context. While markers and white boards are more common, I spent many years teaching with chalkboards, and still use them occasionally depending on where in the world I am teaching.

Tricia is host tonight for dVerse’s Poetics with the call to Take a Risk. Be sure to join us.

by tackling difficult subjects
by laying bare a personal struggle in vivid detail
by writing on any topic as long the word “risk” is used (perhaps the risk we take falling in love)
by exploring a new writing form that you may find “risky” or unconventional

Anil Kumar is a teacher and artist. This painting is his response to the social media (PUG) addiction he sees in his students in India.

48 responses to “High-Risk American”

John

There are bits of truth in there. This isn’t the country I grew up in…

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Me either. Will be hard to return and face these challenges that persist.
  
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  1. John
    
    You will do fine. 😎
    
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Lucy

So much has changed and you capture it all here. Wonderfully and truthfully written.

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Thank you kindly, Lucy. I’m looking forward to reading More “risk” poetic pieces this morning. Couldn’t keep my eyes open any longer last night.
  
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Helen Dehner

This is amazing poetry …. amazing.

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Thank you kindly, Helen.
  
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Anonymous

This hits hard with bitterness of truth. I read a lot about being high risk, but truly the teachers are heroes.

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1. Grace
  
  This was my comment: This hits hard with bitterness of truth. I read a lot about being high risk, but truly the teachers are heroes.
  
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2. K.Hartless
  
  Thank you. I think high-risk has a lot of meanings and it’s just not something we think of as part of a teaching job. Thank you for reading and commenting.
  
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Jewish Young Professional “JYP”

Damn – this is powerful!

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Thank you. I am pleased if it makes an impact and just opens conversation. I appreciate your response.
  
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johnlmalone

as an ex-teacher I fully empathise with this powerful portrayal; well done !

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Thank you, John. I wanted to hear your reaction knowing you have loved and lived this profession.
  
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msjadeli

Teaching is a thankless profession and not one many can do well. You have to be a ninja to be a teacher.

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Slight-of-hand definitely helps, as does a burning passion for your subject and the faith that seeds planted will grow. 😉
  
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  1. msjadeli
    
    ❤
    
    LikeLiked by 1 person
Tricia Sankey

Amazing write, so glad you pulled your old draft out and breathed new life into it with all the raw emotion and honesty that fits the prompt to a tee! The painting packs a punch as well. A memorable post! 💝

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Thanks, Tricia. I saw what your prompt was driving home, and I really wanted to join in. I have lots of reading to do today, which is lovely. Thanks for proving a powerful prompt.
  
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  1. Tricia Sankey
    
    Yes, I’m still reading today and enjoy my morning!
    
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Hobbo

Very well written. The value of good teachers is under estimated!

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Thank you, Hobbo. The teacher battles ignorance everyday, and says, there’s nothing that can’t be changed. That’s what I love about teaching.
  
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Ingrid

In the UK, the curriculum is so circumscribed (and dull) that it makes it almost impossible for teachers to take risks. Which is exactly what the government wants – a nation of conformists. Well done for singing the praises of these unsung superheroes.

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Thank you, Ingrid. I see the curriculums tighten, even in an international setting. Still, there are choices to be made and ways of presenting information that opens the mind and makes learning exploratory. Hopefully, that is still possible everywhere. My greatest teachers made me question everything I knew. I thank them for it.
  
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memadtwo

Teachers are heroes in my book. (K)

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Thank you. I agree. I’m so much of a better person because of my incredible teachers.
  
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  1. memadtwo
    
    For myself and my children too. I know so many people who found themselves because of a teacher.
    
    LikeLiked by 1 person
Sunra Rainz

As a teacher, I totally felt this. I also try and plant seeds where I can and if I ever come across a whiff of racism, sexism or any other type of -ism, address is kindly where possible, but I never ignore it.

I especially enjoyed the following lines:

Maybe one day, I will be remembered
as brave, unmasked and seen.

Is there a better banner
for the home of the free?
The teacher,
who stands longer than most,
takes less, forgives more.

❤

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
1. K.Hartless
  
  Thank you, Sunra. 😀Teachers really do open minds, and I always enjoy helping my students see issues from different perspectives and seek truth.
  
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T.J.S. Sherman

As someone who has taught and worked in schools, a wonderful capturing of the experience in its tragedy.

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Thank you. Just a glimpse of a career that offers the biggest rewards and the biggest risk…of insanity. 🙂 we should have a sign like district thirteen between educators. 😂
  
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  1. T.J.S. Sherman
    
    In my experience the sign was a wine glass 🍷
    
    LikeLiked by 1 person
  2. K.Hartless
    
    Prost! 🍷
    
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Björn Rudberg (brudberg)

To be a teacher has become so risky… just passing out grades is inviting revenge… than there is Covid… and on top of that how little respect there is for the job.

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Thanks you, Björn. My teachers inspired me to write, study and be curious, so I hope that I can do that. I still believe that education is the key to change.
  
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Beverly Crawford

In my circle, teachers are heroes, dealing with the remarkable frustration of Covid in addition to changing lifestyles and children arriving at school with little or no respect for authority. Your poem speaks well for the frustration.

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rothpoetry

Bless you for being a teacher who cares about teaching children to think and plan for their future! It is often a thankless job, hounded by administrators and score keepers. Don’t let them wear you down. We need you!

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VJ Knutson

Love this!

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Thank you. I truly appreciate your comment.
  
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  1. VJ Knutson
    
    Welcome!
    
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M

I wonder how long we will remain masked… and then learn to be seen, nonetheless ~

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Very true. Thanks, M. A new talent, and part of a teacher’s amazing chameleon talent to adapt and overcome every new challenge.
  
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anotherkatewilson

Wow, that’s really wonderful. And I love the image of the student in chains with the phone – it looks like my students too.

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Thank you, Kate. It’s hard to compete with the feeds these days.
  
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sean@bogie

This poem makes a strong statement about the underwhelming support for the nurturers of the future. you make a strong case. Teachers deserve more.

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Thank you, Sean. I hope my poem makes others reevaluate the role of teacher and the importance of great teachers to our future.
  
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sanaarizvi

This is incredibly hard-hitting and poignant! 💝💝

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Thank you, kindly. It was written a while ago, but seemed even more relevant now, dusted off and given new life.
  
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