My Ache

I long to be, in my duty, like everybody else I long, to have in the notion of others A good reputation! Why, being an educator seemed Before I jumped into its pool A thing so simple Why, dealing with children Had, after all, always been a piece of cake! Children, thought I, Would be obedient And polite More, they would be keen to learn And have, for me Respect accompanied by a mild fear! I expected not to be unable to handle a class I expected not to be retorted To be refused To meet with homework and classwork Not done And to care not if I reprimand for such I expected not to meet with rude behavior I expected not to lose all my energy My hair and my voice In a career which I thought would be As easy as two plus two makes four! Pray, I do know I am made of sensitivity I do know I have not a loud voice And that I speak softly I do know that I have no children of my own Still, I consider myself not unexperienced when dealing With such! I long to be made of savoir faire I long to be like the rest I long to be good at what I do To earn my living! Contest name: The Poet's Ache Sponsor: Greg Barden Written on 30 July 2017