English teachers

I don’t think that I could be an English teacher, or more accurately an instructor in English poetry and the writing thereof. What would be poets have been stifled by English lit teachers who have cried “No, no, no!” at pupils’ submissions.

I can just see the big red letters reading: YOU USED TWICE THREE TIMES, EMILY!!!

I never lost as much but twice,
And that was in the sod.
Twice have I stood a beggar
Before the door of God!

Angels—twice descending
Reimbursed my store—
Burglar! Banker—Father!
I am poor once more!

Emily Dickinson . . . courtesy of The Poem Hunter.