Yay! I registered. I can't wait! Bring on the poetry, baby!

Hey congratulations, as an educator, I can tell you it is a very rewarding job. You are lucky in that you will not have to deal with behavioral issues with unruly children.

I wish you the best. I know you will love it.

I have a poem I will post here for you later. I wrote it years ago, the day before school started. I had awoken in the middle of the night, and just wrote it, without thinking. Go, figure.

Rod.

perfect...i want to learn how to write poems properly, rob...though i should rather learn engish first..he hehe..thanks..

Here is the poem I promised, I had a difficult time finding it. I have poems scattered all over the place on many hard drives. Good luck my friend.

A Teacher’s View 09/07/95 @ 3:00 AM


A sea of new faces
just waiting to embrace us
Their hopes hidden from view
riding upon the fear
of the first day of school.

Some will wear a smile
talking all the while
to anyone nearby
the need to socialize
will enter the Junior High
on into the new grade
reliving memories of summers
last days
Fears of Fall begin to fade

Starting winters long school days
means new classes
each a new teacher
with new rules to break
Just have to find a way
No task is
that difficult to escape
when bathroom passes
are so easily faked

It’s a new year
with new fears
a chance to correct
last years mistakes
and better yet
an opportunity to perfect
my better days

With all this said
It’s time to go back to bed
So that I can awake
and do my very best
to make today
no less
than perfect in every way...

© Rodney C. Walmer 09/07/95

Looks like a good year shaping up for you, Robert! Between publication and a teaching gig, and getting MARRIED, there's a lot to celebrate - congrats!

In my opinion, people, unless you are desperate, don't spend your college savings on this. Haha. It's just 320 dollars for writing poetry - something that is an art not a science. Yes, you can teach how to perfect the way you express your emotions but you can't perfect your emotion.

Sorry to ruin business, Rob, just thought I'd give my view of things. Though of course, the course could be really good value. So do check it out.

No problem, Mattos. Everyone is welcome to their own opinion. As someone who took and paid for over 60 credit hours of writing courses in college, I do disagree, of course. :)

Thanks for sharing the poem, Rodney!

Yep, Bruce, pretty amazing year.

Look forward to seeing you there, Carla and Carmen! (And whoever else!)

Cool! Wish I had the cash. Perhaps the next time around. Congratulations. I'm sure you will do a great job and have lots of fun in the process.

Linda H.

We're celebrating all the years accomplishments with you.


Robert

He led us on our ways
through all those April days
with a challenge to fulfill,
each of our own will.

He is now on his way
to teaching people every day,
his own challenge to fulfill.
One I know he will.





The Poets' Beginning

There's that little spark,
maybe just a word or two,
that inspires and the pen begins
to scratch out the beginnings of
a new poem.
Those first lines lead
the way to new discovery as
you flesh it out and build the
rest of the poem around it.
You are constantly revising,
concentrating on preciseness of
words and the consistency of
rhythm, throwing in some metaphors
to strengthen the imagery,
to convey a clear meaning of
emotion that leads the reader to
say, "You know me. You speak my
truth." For poetry is communication
in its highest form.
So, the successful marriage of two
poets is as sure as the sun and
the moon as long as both treat the
union like a poem.
It begins with a little spark,
perhaps just a word or two -
I do -
to inspire the creation of a
masterpiece, the writing of which
continues over many years,
drawing out the connections of
heart and soul,
painting a clear picture that
leaves a lasting impression of
true love,
forever.


Congrats

What's that you say?
Published? So soon? Hey,
you just sent that out?

Wish I could say the same.
No where to place the blame
except here. Think I'll pout.

But why cry? What I should do
If get off my ass and write one or two
Good things - not this dribble here-
something worthy,
just once this year.



Okay, that last one was really lousy, but proves the point!!! Wish I could take that class but the checkbook will not allow it. So, I'll have to muddle thru with Wednesday prompts and my dear friends online.

Linda

Robert, congrats on a great gig. And online, you can work in a grubby T-shirt and flip-flops and no one will be any the wiser!

Have to say, in days gone by, that once a "schoolmarm" got married, she had to quit her job (and they were almost ALL women). So I'd keep this Tammy thing under wraps for now, at least until you get your first paycheck, ha ha ha.

We expect PIX from the wedding, young man!

Fondly, Amy (Momskas)

Robert, congratulations on landing the teaching gig and on your impending marriage.

I have the book and it's excellent -- I know it will be a great course. Alas, I can't afford it ATM.

Our Robert has landed a spot
as teacher, and he'll tie the knot.
We all wish him well,
and hope things go swell.
We know he deserves it a lot.

Margaret

If you are the least bit dislexic
those letters make you apoplectic.
They all seem to wiggle
and though some may giggle,
it's making my posting quite hectic!

.. Margaret, hoping that she manages to get the !! letters right on the first try, unlikely thought it may be...

I have noticed that many on here, including myself cannot afford your course Robert. I unfortunately won't have the time either, as we are starting a new textbook in the fall, and that means all new lesson plans. Which for me means hours and hours of planning. But, perhaps there will be a scaled down less expensive version of your course for those of us on a smaller income in the future. Because to be honest, I would feel honored to be a part of another poetry class. My first did not work out to well. As soon, as the professor found out I am a believer in little green men (aliens), she took and immediate dislike to me. Even went as far as to make fun of me in class. This was a college level class in the Baruch College, many years ago. Needless to say, I lost interest very quickly. But, I already know you, and I know how much respect you have for me. I also know your work, and how much I respect you. So, I believe this could be a much better experience.

Rod.

Congrats on everything, Robert! Especially the marriage gig!

I actually took the class you're teaching with Natalie Peteresie and loved it. I didn't know a thing about poetry - meter, enjambment, nada. The idea of formal verse scared the bahooey out of me, which is why I took it. Fabulous opportunity for me, and NP was a super instructor. I think you'll groove on the intimacy the class brings, the way the 'students' gel. At least I hope so. If you bring half your energy to 'lecture hall', then you - and the class - will have a stellar time.

Let me know if you teach Advanced any time soon... Peace, Linda

Funny you should mention the Advanced course, Linda. I will be teaching that soon as well. Plus, Joe and I have discussed the possibility of working on a "submissions course" of some sort that would use Poet's Market as a text probably.

A submissions course!! Ooh, sign me up! I hope you do work one up.

Margaret

Robert - you'll do very well as a teacher; you're a natural at it. Enjoy! I promise not to sign up and ruin your success rate with your poetry students. :)

A submissions course! Double yahoo! Will it include handholding (when sealing the envelope or pressing 'submit' and celebratory chocolate?). Please, keep us posted on the advanced and the submissions courses. Peace, Linda