The poets

Anurag Chauhan, South Asia   
Barbara Dieu, Latin America   
Geraldine Kershaw, Africa and the Middle East   
Mary Shui, China   
Saras Singam, East Asia   
Almas Taufiq, South Asia   
Penny Thresh, Europe and Central Asia   

The poems

In the Examination Hall
by Anurag Chauhan

Alone, in a room full of bent heads
And sounds of pencils scraping paper
I muse about lesson plans, increments and eternity.
I wish I could run on the green grass and howl out my heart
Or just run away from the rut of this all.
They would spoil their papers if they were to know
What goes in a teacher's mind - mine.
For they are not, like me,
Alone, quite alone, on invigilation duty.

Teachers
by Barbara Dieu

Some
teachers
are like oysters
producing

unique
and
unknown pearls

on intrusion
or
as a reaction

Some
are
jewellers

who
collect
and string

the
most beautiful
into fashion

Others
wear them

round
the neck

showing
them off
to the world

and glitter
in their reflection

The best teachers, hand picked by the Ministry
by Geraldine Kershaw

They are taciturn, suspicious; keen to sign attendance
but then sign off, thoughts elsewhere, watching the clock.
Weeks pass and they warm, talking, but quietly;
And then the truth leaks out over coffee: 'They made me come and now I'm losing money - the private pupils.'
'I was saving for new furniture.' 'Hah! I have to pay for my son
- the university hostel - and then the twin daughters, four more years.'
The best teachers crowd me with loving bitter stories.
These are the best people; two nights a week for their Ministry, and
Meanwhile they run households, teach their twenty hours
With forty children, cram in the exam cramming extras.
By cake and tea the course ends: 'With this certificate we can ask more
For our private lessons!'
Just an attendance certificate, for time
Stolen from their real lives.

A teacher's wish
by Mary Shui

One dear child, like a shining sun.
All children, make our future shining and shining ...
Will they live in a world,
friendly, freely and easily?
Oh, my dear friends,
It depends on you and me.
At the time they can understand each other,
At the time they absorb the shining spirit of human being,
At the time they are more better than you and me,
My dear friends,
I shall say I feel OK.

My Way
by Saras Singam

A life of pain, a life of trials and tribulations!
So many rejections; so many failures!
They don’t seem to understand;
They are just not interested.
O god! I pray. What can I do?
How can I help them?
Out! Out! I say.Throw the books away!
Let’s get real, show them their meal.
Follow me! Listen to me!
Do it this way! Do it that-a-way!
Drill, drill, drill and more drills!
Ah ha! Rays of understanding gleam in their eyes.
Shimmers of hope for me – my way works!

A Tribute to a Teacher Mentor
by Almas Taufiq

A young teacher learning to teach,
A learner herself but strangely, well aware.
For how many teachers see their role as learner
And acutely sense the need to grow?
Always keen to find a way to understand
'The magic of Maya', this science of teaching and learning.
Struggling on this road of self-awareness,
Her path is crossed by a Mentor.
Together they search for more meaning in learning,
The Mentor's experience and knowledge,
Combining with the teacher's, making both richer,
Producing unbelievable enlightenment for both.
The Mentor - a friend, a confidante, sharing the joys and sorrows,
Will go in a while, leaving a life-long learner,
Impassioned and enthused forever.

Teaching Advice
by Penny Thresh

Teaching,
preaching,
even beseeching ...
it's all the same.
Try to give it a name
but what is a must
is dedication and trust,
for the teacher
and learner,
to maybe continue further.