WHAT CAN THE TEACHER BE CALLED?
Ibraheem Adekunle Adebesin
Cambridge-Certified IGCSE English (First Language) Tutor | TRCN-Licensed English & Lit Teacher | TEFL-Certified Instructor | Homeroom Teacher in Doha | Creative Writing Coach | Duke of Edinburgh (DoE) Award Leader | Poet
Can he be called a magician?
Yes, because he is a teacher.
Years ago, I was a tabula rasa.
His spell that changed me, I can’t spell it.
Can she be called a physician?
Yes, because she is a teacher.
Those knees I graze from plays and race
Her wool, her spirit nurse them with love.
Can he be called a coach?
Yes, because he is a teacher.
The wrong legs of shoes, the wrong steps I choose.
His teachings always right the wrongs
Can she be called a preacher?
Yes, because she is a teacher.
The tales she tells about her God
Inspire my take that God is gold
Can he be called a counsellor?
Yes, because he is a teacher.
Those ugly days that bullies booed.
His voice, his words are the balm that cooled
Can she be called a leader?
Yes, because she is a teacher.
In class, outside, the creed she reads
Instils in us the guts to lead
Can he be called a parent?
Yes, because he is a teacher.
My mum mothers, my dad fathers.
My teacher blends the two in school
Can she be called a friend in need?
Yes, because she is a teacher
So many kids with different needs.
She feeds those needs; a friend indeed!
Can he be called a fisherman?
Yes, because he is a teacher.
He doesn’t merely dish out fish.
He’d rather teach us how to fish.
Can she be called a role model?
Yes, because she is a teacher.
Her clothes, her shoes and all she wears
I treasure none but the virtues she bears
Can he be called a nation builder?
Yes, because he is a teacher.
He steals no funds, he kills no dreams.
He’d rather slave to nurture dreams
What exactly can the teacher be called?
‘Elixir’ sounds right but he is more than that!
‘Deity’ befits but she’s more than that!
? adebesin.ibraheem (2018)