I Know It Doesn't Have To Rhyme

I Know It Doesn't Have To Rhyme
To my grade school teacher-1950's

When writing a short story or poem
I think of the days of the past
I'm reminded of many teachers
My habits of writing were cast

The grammar school ones of my young days
Took into account our age
So young and oh, so eager to please
It was reflected on every page

The middle school teachers to correct this
would push you into change
And yet you knew the pattern was set
they were seeking out your range

By high school, you were all over the place
From free spirit, to the sublime
Myself, I liked the old style
I wanted it to rhyme

Old habits, old thoughts, and the old ways
are always hard to break
That's probably why I'm still here
writing mistake after mistake, after mistake

But poetry will always be,
a rhyming game for me
It's like a hidden message
I hope you all can see