A Teacher's Poem, by Bruce Black

Pebbles Cast

In classrooms, where the light of knowledge gleams,
A teacher, like a lantern, guides the way,
Each student, a vessel for their dreams,
A pebble cast, where ripples gently sway.
 
Noir shadows dance, as lessons take their flight,
A tapestry of wisdom finely spun,
In every mind, a spark of wondrous light,
A journey started, with the morning sun.
 
As pebbles cast into a darkened pond,
Each student's mind, a canvas to explore,
The teacher's influence, a ripple fond,
Expanding outward, reaching distant shore.
 
Through a teacher’s lens, the world may see,
One student at a time, the legacy.

-Bruce Black

Analysis 

​"Pebbles Cast" is a poem that skillfully captures the uncertainty of teaching, using metaphors like a classroom as a lantern-lit space where knowledge gleams. The imagery of pebbles cast into a darkened pond signifies the challenge of teaching without immediate visibility of impact. The phrase "Noir shadows dance" adds complexity, symbolizing the intricacies of lessons unfolding. The tapestry of wisdom and the spark of wondrous light in each mind highlight the potential for growth.

The canvas metaphor portrays a student's mind ready for exploration, and the ripple effect represents the teacher's nurturing influence reaching distant shores. The concluding lines emphasize the unique perspective teachers possess, with their impact seen one student at a time. The analysis effectively unpacks the layers, showcasing teaching as an act of faith and the enduring legacy teachers leave. This teacher's poem can serve as motivation to keep up the good fight.  

Vocabulary: Noir
The term "noir" originally comes from French, where it translates to "black" or "dark."

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