Little John just hated going to school,
that much could certainly be said.
He arrived home each and every day,
with a long face and just hung his head.
His mother got more and more worried,
and at parent’s night turned up at school.
And spoke one by one to the teachers,
which is what is required as a rule.
One said John was simply bone idle,
and had no desire to progress.
Another said John lacked concentration,
and at times seamed he could’nt care less.
After this blunt condemnation of john,
by all his teachers en bloc.
They all but refused to teach him,
which came as a terrible shock.
She went home that night,
and cried herself to sleep.
Whatever would become of John,
the thought just made her weep.
Weeks went by then one day,
A new head came to John’s school,
they say new brushes sweep clean.
And turned out to be the rule,
after reading notes on John.
The head brought him up to her room,
sent for his mother to attend.
Who then arrived quite soon,
she saw John sitting there.
And the tears just ran down her face,
she was prepared to meet her doom.
And her ultimate disgrace,
The head said just sit down my dear,
and motioned across to a stool.
“your John’s going to be all right,
he just needs a special school.
He needs to learn at his own speed,
he isn’t really sick.
You see what’s wrong with little John
is he’s only autistic!”
Author notes
judmc....Nobody can tell you what to say,what to think etc.
A contest entry
- April is autism Awareness month by genevieve3.
675 points, ended April 15, 2008, 6 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Trauma Kids by Danneh.
575 points, ended May 3, 2008, 16 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Make me cry....options =] and PW allowed :D by LeilaJayne.
900 points, ended May 17, 2008, 33 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - The Ultimate Goal by N e a r.
20000 points, ended June 2, 2008, 946 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Autism, Poverty and Hope by melphleg.
950 points, ended June 28, 2008, 11 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - From Your Head and Into a Poem by Hectic Michelle.
600 points, ended June 11, 2008, 13 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Pre-Write Extravaganza by piccola.
1000 points, ended August 17, 2008, 17 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Little bright eyes by Neha Sharma.
1100 points, ended September 30, 2008, 15 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Disorders- bipolar, ADHD, OCD any disorder will do! by StoneGypsy.
422 points, ended January 10, 13 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Autism Awareness Month by NotAMolly.
1400 points, ended April 25, 13 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Prompts - mental illness by Aspirin Lullaby.
1150 points, ended July 5, 35 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 20 of 20
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happens to too many children. Well said, and I'm glad you chose this topic. Thanks for entering.
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I've cried through so many school meetings, there was a time when I thought no one wanted to teach my daughter, but then we changed school districts and WOW what a difference. Thx for entering!
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awww this is sad! good work!
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Good work. I liked the way that you have built up the whole thing into a story. end is meaningful.thanks for entering and good luck.
-Neha
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nice take on autism. May I ask what JUDMC stands for?
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Piccola
Many Thanks for your kind comments on "Little John"
JUDMC is derived from two words "Jud" a pet family name,short for george and "Mc" short for Mckenzie so now
you know. These abbreviations are quite common in England
where I come from.Best Wishes George ++++
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wow, this pointed out a lot of things about autism. My little brother has autism and has trouble at school as well. Jon needs an aide but she doesn't help much so he is usually sent to the office because the teacher doesn't want to deal with him...
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Thanks for putting this in my contest!
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I liked how the poem directly depicts autism. That fits well with the contest. The story is good. The flow is OK but some rhymes seem forced to me. Most rhymes flow well though.
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melphleg
Many thanks for your kind comments on "Little John"
much appreciated more so if you could point out the awkwardly rhyming lines I could remedy them,something I
invariably do if it helps towards the perfection I aim for.
Best Wishes George.
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you're not using
Any of my titles in my contest =( -
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Angel Full Of Hurt
"Little John" is a "problematic" child who at the end of
the poem turns out to be autistic. That's option no 1
You didn't specify that the actual words "Problematic Child" should be included in the poem.George+++
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Excellently told story. Yes, the discouragement can be intense for all involved, and the educational labels can be very disheartening. How many have gone through this without an insightful new "head" of the school? Not something readily discernable and easily dealt with. I enjoyed this!
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Mirthryl
Many Thanks for your kind comments on "Little John"
They are very much appreciated.Best Wishes George ++++
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He isnt really sick! No he is not! a disorder, not a desiese. treatable but not curable. A life not a deat, autism is my world you see, this poem struck me to the core, for I know on every level the depth of the words. Thank u so much for entering! Awareness is key, acceptance is the cure!
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genevieve3
May I thank you for your kind comments on "Little John
They are very much appreciated .Best Wishes George ++++
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In interesting little story that has a message interwoven that is easy to understand and enjoy at the same time. Well done.
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Bazza many thanks for your comments on" Confusion" and" Little John"JUDMC(GEORGE)
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Well written, poor little John...if they had only known...
mystery
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