Two knocks play at my door,
And I run to the entrance with pleasure,
But confusion is what I bore,
There stood God and my professor,
I bend my knees, ready to bow,
But whom should I respect first?
The teacher who made me who I am now?
Or the God of the earth and the crust?
A dilemma greater than one might see:
Choosing between God and their teacher
Is what I face before me,
For I am a learner yet also a great believer.
There's one who taught me how to write,
How to read and to speak.
But there's one who gave me a life,
With possessions, so I won't be on the streets.
There's one who showed me the world,
And the great wonders it beholds,
But there's one who made that world,
So I decided to make a move, so bold.
I reach to show obeisance,
To the creator of this land,
But the deity shake their head instead,
And halt me with their hand.
They say: "It's the teacher who made you see,
The importance of what you have,
It's the teacher who shared tales of me,
And made you pray every night.
"I can see you've come a long way.
Oh the great knowledge you have gained,
Yet don't you perceive a grave mistake?
It's the teacher who told you who I am!"
So, I join my hands with a smile,
I am certain of what I should do,
I say: "I apologise for taking such a while,
For my professor, my belief in god,
And the knowledge I hold;
It's all because of you!"
Thank you, teachers!
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Based on a sanskrit phrase गुरु गोविन्द दोऊ खड़े, काके लागूं पांय । बलिहारी गुरु अपने गोविन्द दियो बताय । ।
Long ago, teachers were responsible for the overall development of a person. Moreover, everything a person had learned back then was due to that every teacher. Therefore, although this poem highlights the way of olden days, we can still understand the great ability and influence a teacher has on a student and also learn how the first teacher, in one's life, is actually their parent(s).
Do you think that there still are some teachers as respectable as this?
My age when writing this - 14
The date this was written - 3rd September, 2023
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Invisible To The Eye
PoetryAn anathology of the many poems written by Siyona Paliwal now archieved in the British Library. Stated in a chronological order are the poems of a growing writer with tales full of heart and meanings as deep as the sea. Discover yourself while you d...
