Pencils sharpened, polished apple for the teacher in my satchel, I brace myself for my first day at new school with a mix of excitement and trepidation.
Hope the bigger kids won't bully me too much.
Hope the teacher isn't a meaner...
Happy day. The other kids are dead cool and the teacher is awesome. I tumble out of class exploding with new ideas and head home with the audio version of Dr Faustus playing at full volume in the car, reciting the definition of iambic pentameter in my head.
Next day I spend watching Macbeth, electrified, simultaneously reading poetry compilations by Roger McGough. I decide I am in love with Shakespeare and the art of the humble sonnet.
Set about writing a topical reworking of Sonnet 29 which I email to my tutor:
When in disgrace with --- ---, learn'd and wise, I all undone beweep my unlearn'd state, And troubled effing daily heav'nward flies, As I curse both my mind and chosen fate. Wishing me like to one who feels bright hope, With time for friends and fun and sleep unstressed, Desiring others' discipline and scope, With my highest efforts contented least, Yet let me then, my work almost despising, Recall the joys of mind's expanding state And tho' I loathe to be with dawn arising, Let trumpet fanfares sound at learning's gate! For thy sweet inspiration such wealth brings, That I would'st not exchange my state with kings
He likely reads this with a quizzically raised eyebrow and bewildered expression.
I follow this by submitting my 'dummy assignment'. Tutor has informed us that a simple "This is my dummy assignment" will suffice, its purpose being purely to test the system and our ability to use it.
Naturally, I submit a rhetorical monologue followed by a full and unrelated rendition of 'The boy stood on the burning deck'.
Tutor will by now have a fair idea of what he is up against... doubtless rocking back and forth in a darkened room, head in hands, cursing quietly...
School bag in hand...
Pencils sharpened, polished apple for the teacher in my satchel, I brace myself for my first day at new school with a mix of excitement and trepidation.
Hope the bigger kids won't bully me too much.
Hope the teacher isn't a meaner...
Happy day. The other kids are dead cool and the teacher is awesome. I tumble out of class exploding with new ideas and head home with the audio version of Dr Faustus playing at full volume in the car, reciting the definition of iambic pentameter in my head.
Next day I spend watching Macbeth, electrified, simultaneously reading poetry compilations by Roger McGough. I decide I am in love with Shakespeare and the art of the humble sonnet.
Set about writing a topical reworking of Sonnet 29 which I email to my tutor:
I all undone beweep my unlearn'd state,
And troubled effing daily heav'nward flies,
As I curse both my mind and chosen fate.
Wishing me like to one who feels bright hope,
With time for friends and fun and sleep unstressed,
Desiring others' discipline and scope,
With my highest efforts contented least,
Yet let me then, my work almost despising,
Recall the joys of mind's expanding state
And tho' I loathe to be with dawn arising,
Let trumpet fanfares sound at learning's gate!
For thy sweet inspiration such wealth brings,
That I would'st not exchange my state with kings
He likely reads this with a quizzically raised eyebrow and bewildered expression.
I follow this by submitting my 'dummy assignment'. Tutor has informed us that a simple "This is my dummy assignment" will suffice, its purpose being purely to test the system and our ability to use it.
Naturally, I submit a rhetorical monologue followed by a full and unrelated rendition of 'The boy stood on the burning deck'.
Tutor will by now have a fair idea of what he is up against... doubtless rocking back and forth in a darkened room, head in hands, cursing quietly...