If Families have Culture, so do Classrooms: What did I Miss?

In doing a SUNY Faculty Guild post, I was reminded of this old Poetry 180 Project poem by Tom Wayman.  I would send it to nonparticipants, but they might read it literally!  More poems can be found at: https://www.loc.gov/poetry/180/013.html

It sets so dos and don’ts just like families in our readings perform!  I wonder what the culture it teaches could be called? I hope you enjoy it.  It’s probably too sarcastic for elementary students, but not for high schoolers.  What do you make of it?

Did I Miss Anything?

Nothing. When we realized you weren’t here
we sat with our hands folded on our desks
in silence, for the full two hours

     Everything. I gave an exam worth
     40 percent of the grade for this term
     and assigned some reading due today
     on which I’m about to hand out a quiz
     worth 50 percent

Nothing. None of the content of this course
has value or meaning
Take as many days off as you like:
any activities we undertake as a class
I assure you will not matter either to you or me
and are without purpose

     Everything. A few minutes after we began last time
     a shaft of light suddenly descended and an angel
     or other heavenly being appeared
     and revealed to us what each woman or man must do
     to attain divine wisdom in this life and
     the hereafter
     This is the last time the class will meet
     before we disperse to bring the good news to all people  on earth.

Nothing. When you are not present
how could something significant occur?

     Everything. Contained in this classroom
     is a microcosm of human experience
     assembled for you to query and examine and ponder
     This is not the only place such an opportunity has been gathered

     but it was one place

     And you weren’t here

—Tom Wayman