This person who's teaching
This language as used,
Expects me to know,
But I'm very confused.
There's many a word,
And more ways to tell.
I know what I heard,
But how do I spell?
Is plow pronounced plough
Or said like plateau?
Right here, right now,
With a "k," it's know.
There's grammar and syntax,
Vocabulary too.
The books in the stacks,
I'll never get through!
When sick do you cough
And feel a bit rough?
Maybe it's trough.
This is enough!
Some say "Try phonics"
For literacy.
Or use a mnemonic.
This is NOT easy!
When you knead dough,
Can you say it like bough?
Or is it need doe?
I must find out how.
Critical theory
And creatively write.
My eyes may get teary.
Is this creatively right?
You say it like though,
Add a "t" and it's thought.
What if it's mow?
Can this really be taught?
This man, G.B. Shaw
Has written "ghoti."
He drank usquebaugh,
And claimed it said phish!
I have an eyebrow,
But this is an elbow.
I'm supposed to bow
When it's time to go.
Language: a noun.
For this conference, a verb.
The spelling renown.
Some say "Don't disturb!"
I think I'm through.
Or maybe I'm thorough.
Maybe I'm threw.
I know I'm not Thoreau.
There's caught and draught.
Please don't be stern.
I'll write my draft,
And I'm trying to learn.
Some words are spelled
To hear, must be said.
Do you think it's been held
Right here in my head?
Many graphemes,
Yet even more sounds.
'Mid students' screams
Confusion abounds!