By Erich Rumback
Years of preparation
Years of challenge, trial and
error
Months of prioritization,
organization
Breaking down and building up
Miles of walking, lost in thought
Or pondering with laser focus.
To class, to car, to class, to
library.
To school, to work, to home and
to bed.
Rinse and repeat. It comes to
this.
“Daddy, do you want to play with
me?”
More than anything else
With all of my being, son.
Gritted teeth through pain and
anger.
Why didn’t I begin this journey
sooner?
I lacked the motivation, plain
and simple.
My wife, my sons, and my daughter
My pride, my joy, my life’s reason.
It comes to this.
Read, write, test, quiz, assess, analyze, reflect
For them, for me, for the children, for the future.
Battered and bruised, weary and confused,
It comes to this. More of the same, except different.
A degree, a license, a job, and a break.
My fears have not withered away with experience
And the autumn leaves just make me mad
Driven by promise, by trust and desire.
My will, my knowledge, my mission, my path.
A mountain stands between me and my goals.
Someone once told me, in another lifetime,
“Work smarter, not harder.”
I am sick of climbing. I’m dynamite, and it is time to
blast.
I will see the other side of this mountain.
It comes to this.
I will succeed.
This is wonderful! Much of what you have said in this beautifully written poem is exactly how I am feeling right now, too! We are so close to the end that it is almost painful. I am an untraditional student as well, and I keep thinking the same thing--why didn't I start this sooner? I could be teaching already right now! Settled in to my perfect job, working on my master's degree. The important thing, though, is that we are doing it now, and we WILL succeed! Thanks for sharing this, Erich...extremely inspirational!
ReplyDeleteYou never cease to amaze me my friend! It's so refreshing to be able to read a poem like this, because I (and probably everyone else who's read this) felt such a deep connection to it. The emotions were immaculately depicted with each line, word choice cleverly implemented, and experiences so incredibly personal. I almost felt like you pulled the repetitious moments right out of my head: "To school, to work, to home, and to bed." This was an uplifting and much needed reading for me, and your students are very lucky to have both an amazing student teacher and positive role model. Stay strong hombre; you'll be in charge of your own classroom in no time!
ReplyDeleteWow! Erich this was great! I think we can all relate to your poem. We are almost done, but it feels like a routine everyday. There's so much to do, and I think you captured everything beautifully. I loved your ending, you're tired of climbing but won't give up! We're all going to blast past these painful routines and get through this! Thanks for sharing, it was a great read!
ReplyDeleteI love the energy in those final lines, and I have no doubt that you will make it to the other side. You have accomplished much already, and the journey toward this next goal will be worth it. So glad you're in this profession, Erich!
ReplyDeleteAs one who went back to school after having 3 children, I can relate to your situation. Fortunately, you've nearly climbed to the peak. The view on top is amazing, and I'm sure you'll be ready to "blast" this fall.
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