Friday, 9 June 2017

Double Maths

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​The subject for this month's open mic is 'rubber'. This poem is my take on the topic, I hope you like it.

Double Maths

The black gown swept in,
flecked in dandruff and chalk
and the dance began again.
Function, cosine, blah blah blah.
The chalk bounced on the blackboard
its staccato bursts leaving
a nonsensical trail of symbols
hurriedly transcribed to paper
by confused students
before a felt lined wooden block
turned it to a cloud of dust.
The protestation from the back;
a voice asking 'what...'
cut off by a barked 'SHUT UP'
and a flying blackboard rubber.

John Carré Buchanan
09 June 2017

If you click on the link below you can listen to me read this poem.



This poem is linked to Poets United.
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38 comments:

  1. Richard Fleming11 June 2017 at 12:43

    Reminds me of my own grim schooldays, John. Flying objects, chalk, dusters, once even a Bible (thrown by the Scripture Master in a fit of pique)provided us with a masterclass in learning to duck.

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    Replies
    1. John Buchanan11 June 2017 at 15:10

      Youch, almost worth being a fly on the wall though. I suspect / hope things have changed in recent times. Thanks for your comment.

      Delete
  2. Janet14 June 2017 at 05:46

    Well done John.

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  3. Dr. Vandana Sharma17 September 2017 at 09:21

    Hmm I have always been scared of Maths, no matter how much I rake my brain, 'Maths' won't get into my head!

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    Replies
    1. John Buchanan17 September 2017 at 11:27

      Hi Vandana, Thank you for your comment. I guess I was too especially as the blackboard rubber hurt!

      Delete
  4. Julian17 September 2017 at 09:27

    Happy Days!! 10 out of 10 for this one, John. Happy days that taught us respect for others without self empowerment.

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    1. John Buchanan17 September 2017 at 11:29

      Hi Julian, I guess they taught me to shut up and keep my head down in maths. Long time ago now. Thanks for your comment.

      Delete
  5. Thotpurge17 September 2017 at 10:23

    Maths classes were something like that..but I loved them..calculus not so much though!

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    1. John Buchanan17 September 2017 at 11:32

      Hi Thotpurge, thanks for your comment. I did well in maths, but I can't say I ever enjoyed it. There again I was more interested in sport than books!

      Delete
  6. Jae Rose17 September 2017 at 13:17

    Ouch - maths was never my strong point either!

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    Replies
    1. John Buchanan17 September 2017 at 13:33

      Hi Jae, thanks for your comment. Hopefully it wasn't as painful. lol.

      Delete
  7. Magaly Guerrero17 September 2017 at 13:35

    I'm smiling and loving it. Your poem took me back to high school, perhaps not in math (it has always been my favorite subject and I was blessed to share classes with a bunch of number-loving souls). But goodness, I certainly remember the chaos that was social studies... It is good to remember.

    Thank you for this.

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    Replies
    1. John Buchanan17 September 2017 at 14:28

      Hi Magaly, thanks for a your comment, I am glad the poem took you back.

      Delete
  8. Magical Mystical Teacher17 September 2017 at 15:39

    Thank goodness, I never sat in a class where the teacher hurled missiles at the students!

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    Replies
    1. John Buchanan17 September 2017 at 15:45

      Hi MMT, thanks for your comment. I hope I haven't given the teacher in you any ideas ;-)

      Delete
  9. Sanaa Rizvi17 September 2017 at 15:39

    This is so good! It reminded me of my college days when I was dealing with calculus.. (not exactly my strong point) haha! Beautifully penned.

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    1. John Buchanan17 September 2017 at 15:44

      Hi Sanaa, thank you for your kind comment, I'm glad you liked the poem.

      Delete
  10. Sherry Blue Sky17 September 2017 at 16:04

    Ha, math is difficult enough without that teacher's approach. You painted the scene so clearly I could see it. I may even know that teacher. LOL.

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    Replies
    1. John Buchanan17 September 2017 at 16:17

      Hi Sherry, it was interesting to see he was still teaching when my son was at school! he seems a bit more mellow nowadays!

      Delete
  11. J.N.T.17 September 2017 at 16:21

    haha...you're a talented poet John. I could never combine math and poetry the way you did here!

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    Replies
    1. John Buchanan17 September 2017 at 16:26

      Hi J.T, thanks for your kind comment, it is much appreciated.

      Delete
  12. Cressida de Nova17 September 2017 at 17:25

    The dandruff got to me...what about the bushy eyebrows and ear hair ...yikes !! Excellent poem.

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    Replies
    1. John Buchanan17 September 2017 at 17:34

      Hi Cressida, thanks for your comment. Actually the first time I saw the Harry Potter movie and saw professor Snape......

      Delete
  13. Mary17 September 2017 at 19:00

    Whew, I can picture this scene. Sometimes tempers become hot in the classroom! Smiles. Well drawn.

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    1. John Buchanan17 September 2017 at 19:11

      Hi Mary, Thank you, I am glad you liked the picture. Thanks for the comment.

      Delete
  14. Donna@LivingFromHappiness17 September 2017 at 19:50

    The kind of teacher I took to task as a school administrator....daring you to learn even though they don't teach.....no questions asked.

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    Replies
    1. John Buchanan17 September 2017 at 20:07

      Hi Donna, I guess in those days things were a bit different! Thanks for your comment.

      Delete
  15. indybev17 September 2017 at 20:46

    You skillfully took us there, John. Well done!

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  16. Gillena Cox17 September 2017 at 21:47

    AW!!!! that wasn't nice of him at all. Thanks for sharing in well scripted words

    Happy Sunday John

    much love...

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    Replies
    1. John Buchanan17 September 2017 at 21:52

      Hi Gillena, Thank you for your comment, I hope you have a good Sunday too.

      Delete
  17. Anonymous18 September 2017 at 01:27

    Thank you for this walk back to my math days.

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    Replies
    1. John Buchanan18 September 2017 at 05:43

      My pleasure Martin, thank you for your comment.

      Delete
  18. Rosemary Nissen-Wade18 September 2017 at 12:04

    Yep, that was my schooldays. Same in every country in every era, apparently.

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    Replies
    1. John Buchanan18 September 2017 at 12:13

      That's a shame Rosemary! Thanks for your comment.

      Delete
  19. annell418 September 2017 at 14:28

    You describe my math classes....

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    Replies
    1. John Buchanan18 September 2017 at 15:17

      Hi Annell, thank you for your comment, sorry to hear that.

      Delete

I really appreciate constructive feedback. If you are able to comment it would be most grateful.

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