Crocodile

My classroom has a pet crocodile A protector of the class he's a hunter of bass And a gentleman scholar He cares about your grades. invests in the arts, attends school plays and greets the students everyday he’s a mainstay... he plays a lot of roles, wears a lot of hats fills holes in education and plugs gaps On a single day he may play ... the role of mentor, hype guy, and father figure The kids show him respect and call him Mister But he was always happy with Gilbert Everyday a student has a crisis It doesn’t matter if you are the meanest or nicest Your lessons will be interrupted; If hes available, if he can, Gilbert will step in to play the role Of Gentle Man My go-to move, is leaving a crying student with a friend If it's something they can't share, I'll leave them with a smile, a notebook, a pen, a blank prompt for a letter they won't send... Dealing with adult issues no one can mend. An encouraging smile a gentle nod I keep it curt I leave them with Gilbert. I send a message to The councilor after; Her backlog would fill you with dark laughter But shes a master because my students feel heard By her and Gilbert Gilbert has Seen some And I don't mean the pants he was shoved down. Or the way he was swung around So I had to insist he only bit But he's soft and gently and the kids love him for it And he hears things more serious……. I think Gilbert cries when he’s alone the messy cry where you let out a wailing moan Where you cry so hard you forget about vanity The kind of crying that saves your sanity I find my car is a good place to cry But Gilbert is a plush crocodile and cant drive But I have to assume he cries because everyone has to have a process for letting go of the problems that aren't theirs The projects and missions we can’t bear. The responsibility that isn't ours to share Sometimes, the most important thing about Gilbert, and me, is just that we’re there. Well. I have to teach too. That's what they hired me to do And I'm excited to do my job, my kids make it easy…. When I remember to appeal to their curiosity And sometimes it's impossible not everyone loves Geography But Gilbert and I will be there tomorrow And the day after and next year Because I really feel like I found a vocation, and it’s being right here