In a perpetual state of curiosity,
I am the lover—the amator,
consumed by the pursuit,
never arriving as the station’s master.
Reshaped by the objects of affection—
endlessly revealing itself
with fresh eyes.
To be possessed by a god.
I am the midwife of ideas,
so come sit with me
and be courted every day.
Shared with dVerse: Poetics Tuesday – teachers
Information from DeepSeek that helped form this poem:
1. Amateur: From the Latin amator (lover). Originally, an amateur wasn’t a beginner; it was someone who did something for the love of it, rather than for mastery. A teacher who is still learning while teaching is an amateur in the truest sense, driven by a love of the subject and of the students.
2. A master has already arrived at their destination; they know the material, they deliver it, they clock out.
3. In Roman love poetry, the amator is constantly changed, humbled, and reshaped by the object of their affection. The subject endlessly reveals itself, and the student’s fresh eyes make the teacher see the subject anew.
4. Enthusiasm comes from the Greek enthousiasmos, which means”to be possessed by a god”.
5. ‘I am the midwife of ideas’ is from Socrates.
1994ever 
This is such a thoughtful piece, Shaun 📚✨ The idea of a teacher as an eternal “amateur” still in love with the subject, still being reshaped by it feels so much truer than the idea of a “master” who’s already arrived. Love how the etymology research deepened the whole poem.
— Khadija 🤍
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To be always learning and creating is a wonderful place to be in – and doubly good to share! Jae
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