Sit I say
We meet again
You understand why you are here
‘Yes,’ you say ‘My work?’
Yes or rather your lack of any.
You are not achieving, getting nowhere
For a boy of your intelligence
I cannot understand your resistance
That will derail any chance of a career.
Is there more that I could do?
At even this late stage?
We’ve extended deadlines.
We’ve offered extra time
We’ve sat and helped you plan
We’ve chunked it into bits and pieces
I’ve even offered to read your work.
I am not sure what more I can do.
Its not that you cannot do this,
You are a very capable boy
It’s got to be more than ability
I ask you once again, why?
You shrug and look downcast
Your feet shuffle, your hands clasped,
Your discomfort is so clear
You have no answers, no insights.
Its like you’ve hit a wall
One you cannot cross or find a way around.
It mystifies you that you cannot start
It exasperates me when I have tried so hard.
So I start again, with a new strategy
Which is an old one in a different guise,
To try again, get you home, exams are coming
One last chance, but I fear the worst
I do believe its so much like
Taking a horse to water,
Knowing you cannot make it drink.
So I hold back on my own frustrations
There’s only so much I can do
In the end you’ll front the exam
Find your own way or just drown
Nothing I can do to help you then.
With fingers crossed I’ll wish you well
Await your return pray you stay the time
Have a go, at least come out and say
It was ok, I did my best, but reality sets in
I’m sure you’ll go through the motions
Play the game, you know the rules.
But in your mind there is a black hole
What’s in it I think no one knows!
Written for: http://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2014/05/18/prompt-56-indescribable-frustration/
Morpethroad 
Great expression of a frustration I know too well!
Yes happens too often doesn’t it. Thanks Gabriella have a good week. Thankful I am out of it now.
Wow I will hit this with my sons at some stage I am sure it’s scary to just let them sink or swim x. Well well wrotten
Thanks Justine I hope it gives by and your sons are motivated young men.
I hope so but they herd a lot don’t they, follow the pack and get distracted, tricky times secondary school, hitting the teens, yikes x
Yes it is it’s a ride we all take. Hang in there with them you’ll be fine.
🙂
There was definitely frustration on your part, to the point of almost anger.the teacher will always remain the teacher won’t they 🙂
Too many experiences like this one to forget. Thanks for reading and your lovely comment Jenny.
Most welcome as deserved 🙂
You are always too kind.
Ok we can stop complimenting each other now, or else I may call for a bucket 😉
Lol
This is deeply felt and relatable even for those (I think) who aren’t in exactly that position. A universal frustration described in great detail without being too specific. You know I love it!
Thank you CC I appreciate your comment.
This is an emotionally draining situation to be sure powerfully conveyed
Thank you Yves, I have a career full of such examples.
I am sure the frustration was felt by all, but some just cannot be motivated till it’s too late. Very well done Michael, you showed us frustration and we felt it.
Thanks Jackie, It was a fact of life in a big school we had students who just for a variety of reasons were not able to cope or be motivated.
It makes me think of my son. He is highly intelligent, but his psych issues keep stalling him. He has quit college three times. I hope someday he will find his path.
Hello long time since I saw you visit. I feel for your son, some kids take a long time to get to where they want to go. I hope he is able to sort himself out, I understand how draining it can all be for parents. I had several highly intelligent students who for a variety of reasons were never able to achieve as they wanted to. One young lady had an anxiety based eating disorder which meant we had to remove her from exams and assessment in her preliminary year in an effort to get well. Hers was an uphill battle one she may carry thru life. Good luck to you and your son.
So frustrating when you know that there’s potential in someone – but – they themselves don’t see it.
Sad alright RoSy. But a reality. Thanks for reading.