The Teacher Scrambled Out of Bed

Before the crack of dawn Quickly washes, throws her clothes on Hustles downstairs in a second or two In a rush: Instant coffee will have to do With love she makes breakfasts for her other four Four lunches too, 'fore she hurries out the door Sprints to catch the 6:30 bus on her way to school Unlike other teachers, who drive or carpool Each bus ride seventy-five minutes of stops and starts Every one a fresh jolt to her mind and her heart Yet she's smiling away, calm and serene By 8:00, surveying her classroom's scene ********* The teens straggle in, looking dead as doornails Acting as if they'd just been sentenced to jail The teacher smiles bravely and begins the class Her students put their heads down, tone-deaf, so crass