How To Be Civilized, Friday, Period 3

[1000yearstoolate]

"Every young Radchaai is expected to write poetry," Seivarden said, standing in front of the class. "The result is of course endless amounts of bad poems being sent to friends and family, possibly becoming an embarrassment years later. Only a few have the talent or learn to develop the skill ot actually write something good, of course."

 

She looked at the students.

 

"Understanding and appreciating poetry, even if your own writings are terrible, is fundamental to being civilized. That's why you're going to write a poem today, as long or as short as you like, read it to the class and then be prepared to discuss it. Apparently this planet has a lot of different poetic forms that you can try, or you could use something from your home. It can be as long or as short as you like."

 

She paused. "No, actually, not as long as you like, a maximum of two pages. It should be directed towards someone you care about."

 

"Pens and paper are over here, unless you've brought your own," Seivarden said. "Same with gloves." She glanced at Mae. "Please help yourself to some tea."

 

[Wait for OCD OCD is up]

Comments

Re: Listen to the lecture

[bookbeltof_love]

It was possibly Mae's plastic gloves (which made Nina giggle silently every time she looked in Mae's direction) or it was possibly the fact that she was genuinely irked by that two page limit!

But the spirit of devilry had her saying, "For inspiration could we, like, have a poem you've written, Professor?????????"

Nina had wrestled with that title, not really sure if that was the proper way that Seivarden would want to be addressed but then, like, Seivarden hadn't said, so…

"Or perhaps you'll use this occasion to write one as well??????????????"

Re: Listen to the lecture

[1000yearstoolate]

"If I had been able to bring something from my universe with me, my early poetry wouldn't have been a priority," Seivarden said. "Besides, most of it was sent as letters anyway."

Good excuses that were also true.

"And no, I won't." She smiled. "Try to inspire each other."

In a good way, Nina.

Re: Listen to the lecture

[bookbeltof_love]

But were the good ways as much fun?

"Oh," she said, all big, earnest eyes. "That's too bad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But, like, I'll do my best!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

And she would, too, right up until she decided to use a generator instead.