The Inherent Danger of Teaching

Teaching is a wonderfully rewarding profession. If you are or have been a professional educator, then you know I’m not talking about monetary rewards.

Even though I love it, as do many teachers around the world, it is a hard job mentally, emotionally, and financially. Teachers suffer burnout at an alarming rate. The following is a poetic representation of why.

The First Day of School

~

I dread the dawn

fast approaching upon

one who has seen too much,

battered children and such.

~

It will be the same this year.

I know it and I fear

they will return smiling anew,

hiding what they've been through.

~

Yellowing bruises and battered book bags,

ribs showing through tattered old rags,

tears bitten back so no one knows

what they never want to show.

~

Each morning anew I will die

be hugged and try not to cry

for the pure souls bathed in light

that deserve to be treated right.

~

I cant help them when their at home.

I want to teach them to be strong,

but each day tears me apart

for I know again it starts.

~

The girl raped in the bathroom hiding in shame.

The boy beaten just to get into that gang.

The child cutting late each night

just to avoid what isn’t right.

~

Still, I say, "Good morning class."

The darkness is growing gaining mass.

Don’t know how much longer I can see

what is really haunting me.

_{(c) Vix a.k.a. Rhonda Enrayne 7-21-10 11:56pm}