An English Teacher's Advice (Can You Write Like No One's Reading?) | Teen Ink

An English Teacher's Advice (Can You Write Like No One's Reading?)

September 3, 2014
By Hanban12 ELITE, Lake Worth, Florida
Hanban12 ELITE, Lake Worth, Florida
133 articles 7 photos 631 comments

Favorite Quote:
"If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put foundations under them."
Henry David Thoreau

"I fell in love the way you fall asleep; slowly, and then all at once."
John Green


General statements

Are much too vague;

Eradicate them from the mind’s page.

Instead,

Show some thought.

For instance, show me

The vibrant colors of

Spring;

Are flowers dancing in the breeze?

Are birds chirping?

Or is rain pounding?

Show me the painted strokes

Of the sky;

Do clouds drift in empty blue?

Or does lightning’s fierce belligerence

Strike more than trees?

Show me the reflection of sorrow

In her eyes.

Is it despair?
Longing?

Betrayal?

What do you see?

Shh. Don’t tell me.
Just make sure you vividly see it

Before you write it.

‘Cause if it’s not clear to you,

It sure as hell won’t be clear to me.

 

Now pick up the pencil.

Yes, right now.

Exhume your thoughts.

Dig them up from the dirt and the bones and the grime of the mind

To create something truly

Memorable.

Have faith in passionate, fervent words.

Write with natural dexterity.

Let the words inflame the page.

Let them manifest themselves with clarity.

Make Poe proud.

Make me proud.

Carve your own path.

Scream your words on that paper in front of you.

Show me what it’s like to experience his soft and gentle grin.

Show me the way she admires him from afar.

Show me the way his hand yearns for hers.

Show me emotions.

Show me light.

 

With merely your pencil, show me

The world.


The author's comments:

Dedicated to the best teachers out there ^.^ 


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This article has 2 comments.


on Feb. 28 2015 at 7:43 am
Ray--yo PLATINUM, Kathmandu, Other
43 articles 2 photos 581 comments

Favorite Quote:
God Makes No Mistakes. (Gaga?)
"I have hated the words and I have loved them, and I hope I have made them right." -Liesel Meminger via Markus Zusac, "The Book Thief"

I feel something. I don't know what, but something. Thank you for that.

on Sep. 7 2014 at 11:53 am
EmilytheBelleofA. DIAMOND, Athens, Georgia
81 articles 5 photos 1486 comments

Favorite Quote:
To love is to be vulnerable; Triumph is born out of struggle; We notice shadows most when they stand alone in the midst of overwhelming light.

This is amazing. I love it. : ) Your poem is true to me and full of depth. It's very inpsiring to me and your poem has encouraged me. ^_^ Your poem has an awesome message in it. Thank you for sharing this! ^_^ Thank you so much! ^_^