Perspectives

Life is wonderful, you say
It smiles to you
So many possibilities
so much you can do

To me life is hard
but that you don't know
I might tell you later
why my flowers won't grow

To Teachers and Students of the English Course 2008/2009

A year has passed
New ties are made
The familiar disappears
transforms into a shade

The people part
go different ways
But though you are gone
something stays

Memories
of another year
and of people I know
They will always be clear

You can't fly kites on rainy days

Back when Hally was a little boy, Sam had made him a kite. This memory is brought up occationally through-out the play “Master Harold”...and the boys.
Both Hally and Sam obviously had a good time making the kite and finally made it fly. It was a sunny day, a good day for flying a kite. In the middle section of the play Hally suggests that it’s time to build another kite, but Sam replies “No, you can’t fly kites on rainy days.”

It is in fact raining outside, but I wonder if Sam can sense and predict the hostility that is coming – If he really means that you have to get along and be friends to achieve goals together. That it is impossible to cooperate unless we respect each other.


In response to “Master Harold”...and the boys.

The photograph

A two-tone car, Chevrolet the brand
it's just been washed and waxed by hand
a typical car for this land

In the foreground a woman with a loose smile
She’s a mother, she’s got a little child
She’s holding her baby so tender and mild

A gold ring on her finger, she must be a wife
Her husband was taking the picture that night
but something seems not quite right

The woman is Vietnamese, her baby too
Their eyes are shaped the same, that’s true
except, the baby’s eyes are blue!


In response to "On the Other Side of the War: A Story"

Hello Paulus !

In response to "Zulu and the Zeide"


I send you a few words to express my gratitude toward you. I hope you can get Johannes to translate this letter for you. I just want to tell you what a marvellous job you did with my father. I'm aware that I didn't exactly behave very polite before you left, but the truth is that you woke me up. You made me reflect about the whole relationship to my father. I am, as I said very grateful, and want to doubble your savings amount I owe you. If you are interested I also would like to offer you another job at my house again.

Best regards from
Harry Grossman

To my mother

In response to My Heritage

You went away my dear.
I knew you would.
The words were unspoken,
allthough they should.


You gave me laughter,
my whole life through
"Time's too short" you said
for being blue.


I will go on down the road,
try to keep in mind,
your bright philosophy of joy
maybe I also find.


I sure will do my very best
to bring you out the smile
and put the less important matters
in the delete file.

Thanks!

Thank you all for the wonderful gift and good wishes! The party was an incredible surprise and will long be remembered. Thank you to the teachers' group for the delightfully amusing e-card too! I've enjoyed reading all your work, and I wish you all the best on your exams and in your future careers! It's been a pleasure having you as my students. Thank you for your participation and support. You've been a great class! I wish I could keep you for another year, but I'm sure you're glad to be done here! Phoebe