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You're Grading

A Sympathetic, Scholarly Sonnet

By D. J. ReddallPublished 2 years ago 1 min read
An AI Generated Image

You’re grading, and I mustn’t interrupt

I understand what you are going through:

Waiting for a new idea to erupt

From that turgid pool, that dark, bitter stew

It is a bit like trying to drink mud

Reading essays inspired by deadlines

But if teaching thrums through your antique blood

You’ve no escape; as writing fast declines

You must take up your inky, tired lance

And battle giant cliches and trite thoughts

With verbal false limbs you must try to dance

To make sentences flow, you’ll explode clots

Full of beauty and pathos is your fight

May these words ease the pain of your long night

Sonnet

About the Creator

D. J. Reddall

I write because my time is limited and my imagination is not.

Reader insights

Nice work

Very well written. Keep up the good work!

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Comments (6)

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  • Randy Baker2 years ago

    It must feel good to stumble upon a gem in the muck, though. Well-crafted sonnet!

  • With verbal false limbs you must try to dance To make sentences flow, you’ll explode clots Oooo these lines were my favourite! Loved your poem!

  • Hannah Moore2 years ago

    I had never really appreciated how hard this must be.

  • Kodah2 years ago

    💕 Another incredible sonnet ! 💕

  • Rachel Deeming2 years ago

    Ah, marking. How I do not miss it.

  • Skyler Saunders2 years ago

    As witty as it is slightly bitter, this poem brings a sense that creation can be a challenge, especially when up against a deadline. It presents a portrait of inspiration, however, and a lingering sense of a gain.

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