second year in schoolhe didnt refer
to grade school or high school as school
he wasnt allowed to study what he
wanted so he when asked he referred to them his indoctrination studies or
prescribed pedagogy
but certainly
not school
certainly not a schooling
he wanted which turned a wide corner clipped him at the curb and dragged him
down the street semiconscious
though briefly as a ninthgrader
he studied what he wanted in English
he excelled and wrote audacious
papers
they got his first-year teacher
fired
which she said was alright by her
at least she taught one student correctly
he hurt for her
it must have shone in his eyes
she smiled more warmly than she
ever had
he knew her words were true
she kissed him gently on the
cheek
he always liked how she smelled
it was terrifying how good she
smelled close up
it stayed in his nose for days
then she cautioned him Remember
life isnt easy
And if it were then you have
become complacent
I dont think complacency is
either our style
at the back of the classroom he
paused to look at her one last time
she quickly muscled through her
things keeping only what she needed
she brought a small cardboard box in
keep only what you can carry
he got it without her saying so
Psychology
he was curious to take a
structured class
it was held in a late afternoon
lecture hall
Jung shoved him into it
the professor after his
introduction asked the assembly who had voted for Nixon
he raised his hand
his hand was the only one up
there were more than one hundred
students
This is interesting isnt it he
asked
You he pointed at him Why did you vote for President Nixon
Sir I figured he was going to let
the Draft expire that he wouldnt extend it
Inevitably the Vietnam war would close
Thats a compelling reason for a
young man
This is psychology
According to my inexact samplings
Ive asked all my first-year classes today there is no way President Nixon
should have won by the landslide he did
Which leads me to conclude that
many of you sitting before me are being dishonest
You Your name
My names Joe he said
Joe I appreciate your honesty
Its refreshing to meet someone
who is honest Given the Presidents
trouble your honesty comes unflinching
Thank you sir
maybe he was out of line not that he cared
the professor glanced up at him
Er Youre welcome
Honest And polite
Youre
reaffirming the slender sense of hope I hold out for your generation
he had to concede in that moment
to his professors mature consideration and words
a slender sense of hope
his sense informed him that he didnt
have that for his own generation and during the ensuing years his sensibility
was confirmed his hands riveted to their
guns he refused to ever withhold his
opinion in the first moment he was offended
he let it be known
rude perhaps
but even a brief silence conveyed
that whomever was listening agreed
that was a provocation
he would not be hobbled by
silence
cross him and hed challenge
authority held no sway for him
authority it seemed was always
illgotten acquired by not what they knew but who they knew
she told him to always question
authority
his life persisted in a slow boil
a hot agitation
1511, Twosday,
1 11. 16
The Power Station Some Like It Hot https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hw1t7OCESUw
