Twin Portraits Poem by Valsa George

Twin Portraits

Rating: 4.8


Meet Madam Maloney, the Principal of the school
Who rules with an iron hand, but hardly cool
Igniting sparks of fear, she remains a terror
No wonder, students look upon her in great horror

There is an uncontrollable anger streak
In her genetic makeup! When it reaches an all time peak
There is an aura of distressing menace,
Even as she advances from a distance.
She enters the classroom like a sweeping whirl wind
Causing waves of fear in every child's mind
Startled by her appearance, children forget to greet
All their polite manners would then go to the back seat
Besides hot temper, is puffed with self conceit
Neither patient nor humble, far from sweet
If at all she calls anyone by the name
Each knows it is to put him/her to shame
But, keeps the school under military control!
Know if provoked, she is like burning coal

Corpulent and blubbery, she weighs a ton
As she walks she wobbles and to watch her is fun
Rumour runs, this lady banged her ‘hus'
For not responding to her wishes always with a ‘Yes'

Miss Honey on the other hand is sweet as honey
Her worth cannot be measured in terms of money
The light she emits brightens even the darkest hour
To every helpless child, she is a shady bower
Her smiling face proclaims ‘I do care'
Her wards' heart burns, she is ever willing to share
A sweet person untainted by arrogance
A torch bearer of learning, a foe on ignorance!
She is blessed with a disposition so warm
Conquers every heart with unusual charm
In manners, she is so very polite
In values, she is ever upright

To her students, Miss Honey is sweet and sunny
But Madam Maloney to them in no way is honey
Know it is through love and care we win others' hearts
A person bitter by nature, all gladness thwarts!

Thursday, September 4, 2014
Topic(s) of this poem: teacher
POET'S NOTES ABOUT THE POEM
September 5th is celebrated all over India as Teachers Day to commemorate the birth day of Dr. Radhakrishnan, a great teacher and statesman who was also the President of India!
Here I present two teachers whom I know, but their names are fictional. If you are a teacher yourself, of these two, whom do you rescemble more... please think!
COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Tirupathi Chandrupatla 04 September 2014

It is through love and care we win others' hearts Nice message delivered by comparing two approaches. The one with love wins leading to a lifetime of achievement for those who learn. Thank you. Happy Teachers Day.

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Akhtar Jawad 05 September 2014

An impressive and thoughtful comparison of contrasts, two attitudes two personalities and two administrators. Literature is not merely a critic its a guide as well. Valsa has performed her duty as a poetess in a very right manner. What it shouldn't be and what it should be both are nicely painted in this poem. Well wrote madam.

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Daniel Brick 06 September 2014

I thoroughly enjoyed reading about these contrasting teachers. I remember a couple of years after graduating from high school, meeting a teacher I greatly respected, and he told me what students needed was firm discipline. Foolishly, I replied, And? He was offended, because discipline was the only element of his educational philosophy. I said, But you did not have to discipline me. I was cooperative always. What you gave me was a love of learning by your example. He was stumped. He had not even considered that as a possible part of the teacher/student relationship. He was not aware of his really special qualities as an educator.

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Kumarmani Mahakul 02 March 2019

Her smiling face proclaims. Polite manner greets. Short temper goes away. A great poem is beautifully penned on occasion of teacher's day. By teacher's touch and smiling face darkness goes away and children get greatest happiness. This is an interesting poem.10

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Rose Marie Juan-austin 12 April 2020

Excellent write. Another poem of great depth with brilliant presentation. A useful piece of poetry that serves as a wake up call to those who are in the teaching profession with respect to the manner of dealing with their students. A must read for teachers and students.An eye opener. We can vividly see what is the best method that must be undertaken by a teacher in imparting knowledge to his/her students.

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Valsa George 13 April 2020

Not everyone can fit into that profession. A high degree doesn't warrant one to be eligible to become a teacher. He should be loving, caring and knowledgeable. You seem to have imbibed the real spirit of the poem. I run short of words to thank you! !

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Valsa George 13 April 2020

Rose Marie, I am on cloud nine. Each time with your wonderful words, you bolster my self confidence. Being a teacher myself, I have clear views as how a teacher should be. As you feel teaching is a noble profession and it needs a special temperament, a spirit of service and sacrifice.

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Rose Marie Juan-austin 12 April 2020

Students are considered the future and hope of society. Teaching them knowledge and proper behavior by respecting them as human beings are worthy of emulation. A great poem that should be posted in the corridors or bulletin boards of schools for wider readership and dissemination. To my Poem List. 10++

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Rose Marie Juan-austin 12 April 2020

Teaching is a noble profession. When a student is within the premises of the school, particularly in the classroom, the teacher is considered as the second parent of the student. It is on this premise, that a teacher has the obligation to impart knowledge and at the same time respect the dignity of a student. A student must not suffer corporal punishment nor be subjected to shame.

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Rose Marie Juan-austin 12 April 2020

This poem resonates with me. In my entire years as a student, we always encounter different kinds of teachers. Some are very strict, some are so lax and others are in between. This poem brilliantly expresses in detail the effects on the students of having a terror teacher. And on the other hand, a considerate teacher that gained the utmost respect of students.

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