Pronunciation's Paramount Poem by Gillian M Hart

Dad: Reading you school reports just the other day
One remark came as a great surprise
I could not believe my eyes!

It said you spoke well in the class/ debates.
So why? if you were so articulate?
Was your speech at home, so limited?
We thought you rather shy?

Girl
When small, there was a day when I had news
Which was everso exciting to me,
Childish though it might be. I just wanted
To share it with you, my dear Daddy.
Twice you made me repeat a word
which I struggled to say.

By the next day, I forgot my news
And the word I could not say.
But never forgot your mood and lecture
When I tried starting with ' Well anyway'
I apologised before slinking away.

I learnt something, which I never forgot
Pronunciation is paramount I'd say.

Dad -Well said! I am so glad that you agree.
Do you not think it helped your English grades?
Only once you got a B.

Girl - Yes Dad That is true but do you wonder
Why I said less from that very day?
You cared about how I spoke -there was no doubt
Rather than what I might talk about.

So Dad, if it caused you consternation,
I saw it as avoiding frustration.