The kids quit complaining about having to memorize a sonnet when they see me get up and speak for fifty minutes from memory. Jonno, what an unspeakably great poem by Padraic Fallon! And how sad it is that Liam Clancy is no longer with the living. It was great to grow up with him.
We grow up with our teachers. I have had many. Robert Penn Warren, Richard Wilbur, RS Gwynn, Rhina Espaillat. But I think the finest teacher I have ever had is my junior, Dave Mason. He just strides into a class and knocks the kids out. It must be seen to be believed.
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