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: Write poetry and read it to the class

[lilac_eyed_lieutenant]

"I would like to," said Tisarwat, who could pick up on the cautiousness and it made her a little less enthusiastic than she would have otherwise been, than she was just a moment ago. "Eventually. Once I've brushed it up a little more, obviously. Or maybe even read it to her..."

Which had been her original plan, but then Seivarden threw send into the whole situation, and there was a reason she was asking her advice on this particular poem, after all.

Re: Write poetry and read it to the class

[1000yearstoolate]

"Well," Seivarden said. "I think it's important to find the right moment.

In this case never.