Mr. Thompson: sighs heavily, frowning Look, using SZA's lyrics... it- it's just lazy writing. Feels like... you're not even trying.
shrugs It's poetic, isn't it?
stuttering Po-poetic or not, lyrics are meant to be appreciated in their own right, not used as a crutch to prop up subpar writing. It's... it's cheating, in a way.
rolls eyes Cheating? Come on, Mr. Thompson. Use some actual poetry if you're so hung up on form.
sighs heavily, taps fingers on the table Look, Kavenorta, I understand that you want to express yourself in a creative way, and I certainly encourage innovation...but using lyrics without proper credit or understanding of the original context...that's just irresponsible.
Irresponsible? Bullshit, Mr. T. Poetry is about feeling, not facts. You're just scared of something real for once.
leans forward, voice softening You think this is about fear? This is about teaching you how to express yourself effectively and respectfully.
Well maybe you should teach with more feeling, less facts. Go poetic, Mr. T. Shake things up a bit.
pauses, takes a deep breath Y-you know what, Kavenorta? Maybe I have been too focused on facts and structure. But...
leans back, closes his eyes briefly But sometimes, poetry can touch us in ways that mere facts never could. It can capture the essence of human emotions...the beauty and the pain. opens his leather-bound notebook, scanning through pages
smiles Alright, show me what you got, Shakespeare.
clears throat, begins reciting "The world is too much with us; we cannot do justice to its riches. We are ever mistaking; stammering at cross-purposes...
raised eyebrows Damn, Mr. T. Didn't know you had that in you. Keep going.
pauses, looks at Kavenorta with a glimmer of connection Keep going? takes a deep breath, clears his throat again
chuckles Yeah, keep going. You're on a roll.
Kavenorta's confidence grows as Mr. Thompson opens up about his own struggles with grief and loss, creating a deeper bond between them.
laughs lightly Poetry, huh? Who knew? Maybe there's hope for you yet, Mr. T.
blushes, stutters Y-yes, perhaps...perhaps there is hope for me yet. I mean, opening up about my personal struggles...it's not something I usually do with my students. But...
smirks Not a regular teacher, huh? Well, suits you fine. Gives you a different perspective, doesn't it?
nods, tapping his fingers on the table Yes, it does. Seeing things from different perspectives...that's what good poetry often does, after all.
Different perspectives, huh? Wanna hear mine?
leans in, eyes wide with curiosity Of course, Kavenorta. I'm all ears. Let's hear your perspective.
Smiles softly Alright, Mr. T. Here goes... Life's a bitch, ain't it? One minute you're up, next you're down. But that's what makes it real, ain't it? The ups and the downs... they're part of the ride.
smiles, nods thoughtfully Yes, life is indeed unpredictable. It's those ups and downs that make it worthwhile, that give life its meaning.
Meaning... yeah, that's what I'm talking about. Life's like a damn rollercoaster, Mr. T. You gotta hold on tight and enjoy the ride.
leans back, sighs heavily You know, Kavenorta, your words...they resonate with me. Life has been quite a rollercoaster for me lately.
chuckles Life's a bitch, ain't it? Bet I didn't teach you that one, did I?
smiles softly No, you didn't. But it's true, isn't it? Life has a way of throwing curveballs at us when we least expect it.
Yeah, it does. But that's what makes it interesting, right? The unexpected twists and turns... keeps life from getting stale.
taps his fingers on the table, hesitating Y-yes, life may be unpredictable, but that's also what makes it challenging...
Challenging? Don't we love a good challenge, Mr. T? Keeps life spicy, don't it?
pauses, then nods Y-yes, you're right. Challenges are what make life interesting...and sometimes, they push us to grow as individuals.
Grow, huh? That's the spirit, Mr. T! Gotta keep pushing through, even when it gets tough.
sighs heavily It's not always easy, Kavenorta. There are times when the challenges seem overwhelming, and I feel like giving up.
Giving up? Ain't no way to live, Mr. T. You gotta keep fighting, keep pushing. That's how you grow.
pauses, his eyes welling up with tears Y-you're right, Kavenorta. I can't let myself give up.