Instruct Criticism

Teach me with your eyes open.

Talk about books in the present tense,

Make us feel like Hester Prynne and Winston Smith,

Fighting against unjust environments.

Help us feel their anxiety,

So our own doesn’t seem so out of place.

Teach me with your heart open.

When everyone whines about the quadratic formula,

Tell us that monotony builds character.

That, no, we may never have to use this again,

But you spent time and money getting a degree to teach us this.

Tell us to “shut up and do your work,” with a smile.

Teach me with your mind open.

Listen to me; tell me I’m wrong.

Tell me that my hypothesis is stupid,

That my science fair project has no controlled variable.

But listen to my furious ramblings that it’s right.

It’s right- I know it’s right.

Don’t indulge me- be brutal.

But understand what it was like to cry over Chemistry.

Teachers fear truth.

They will encourage us,

Tell us we’re wonderful,

Even when a lot of us still cry because we know we’re not.

No- tell us we’re shit at picking nice friends

Tell us that right now, we’re all awful people.

Tell us that everyone is awful.

Teach me life lessons.

Tell me what you really think.

Tell me the truth.

Be honest with me,

And I’ll be honest with you.