Walter J. Kelly
World History teacher
November 1963
An Irishman from
Central Casting, he taught us
all about the Church
“Look at it this way”
he said to the Jewish kids
who bristled as one
“Know your enemy”
The laughter relaxed both Jew
and Gentile
Then that meant everyone
Some days he even made fun of
the Principal
Our hero
he taught us about Mozart
and the butcher’s bill
that is History.
We were shown America
the city on the hill
Republicans bad
Democrats good, above all
our mayor Richard J. Daley
The Founding Fathers
Lincoln, FDR
John F. Kennedy
Ask what you can do for your country
We were ready to serve
He cried at the news from Dallas
Sent us home early
“Did they catch the bastard yet?”
My Mom didn’t know
Four years later
a college freshman
I went to see my sensei
Vietnam War
I wanted to talk
man to man
I said civil war
bad faith since Geneva
not our business
He said Korea
Munich
domino theory
He wanted to stop the germans
I was afraid
of becoming a good german
I still love Mr. Kelly
he gave us all he had
I just outgrew him
He died about a year ago (Mr. Kelley). I actually read it in the Tribune and sent his wife a note about how great of a teacher he was.
Comment by Janis Dunn Levinson — April 16, 2009 @ 23:09 |
Janis,
I didn’t realize you were a reader here. There is some poetic license in the poem but the sentiment is honest. Is his wife still around? I’d like to send her a letter too. Send me the name and address.
Comment by Gill — April 16, 2009 @ 23:26 |