The Benefactor Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

Those treasured lessons kept,
To remember as having effect...
Are often not the ones accepted,
When they are first taught.
In fact...
Those heard rebelling to oppose them,
'Then'...
Admit and sometimes reluctantly...
They had been the benefactor,
Pretending 'then' they were not listening.

After time has passed to remember refusing,
What was 'then' thought to be impossible tasks.
With belief one who taught to teach,
Picked upon them to humiliate and fast.
Are today those same people...
Reluctant and not so quick to admit,
A sitting to listen has its benefits.
Or whom or who they admire most,
For not putting up with their nonsense to boast...
A showing of their stupidity.

'Your children seem to be so well mannered.
Mature, respectful and disciplined.
How did you get them to be that way? '

~It was easy.
Whenever they began to challenge my experiences,
I allowed them to create their own.~

'But how?
How did you do that? '

~By pretending I comprehended their stupidity.
To then await for them to admit it.
Without giving them a hint or a clue,
I already knew.
I discovered the best lessons to teach,
With them kept remembered...
Are the ones that allow self-humilation.
To then encourage more of it,
Seen by others to then have it believed.~

'And it works? '

~You are the one who said to me,
And I quote...
'Your children seem to be so well mannered.
Mature, respectful and disciplined.'
I did not open my mouth,
When you saw them staring at me.
Did I? ~