Waterproof

 

I think it's ridiculous that people can put me down,
insult me and ridicule me because I am a teacher.

So because I went to school, I get to be treated as less?
In what world does that make sense?
Or is it because you "went to school once" too
YOU were that 6 year old in a classroom
And you remember "what it's like" because
surely the 6 years of college under my belt
isn't worth more than dirt.
Better yet is it because I work with children
you have the right to treat me like one?

So insults should wash over me like pouring rain
but I am not to get wet. Like I can walk out into a storm
avoiding the drops without feeling the pinpricks of cold in your tone
and the dampness on my very own cheeks.
That I should let it "go under the bridge" like all water should
just because you needed to "get it off your chest"
or because you were feeling a tadbit frustrated
as your words turn into a downpour of insults towards me.

My world is about your child.
The dirt is under my nails as I pluck the weeds out of
their nasty little habits of picking noses and picking on others.
I trough the fields to give them something to grow upon and
spray away the bugs that eat their homework and lose papers are forever gone.
As I fertilize the land that they are proud of standing on top of
and there you stand like a monsoon over my delicate plants demanding
more of my after work time to be devoted to your child as if every
after working hour wasn't already.

You want to complain about me and what I am doing.
Be my guest. But do not share those raindrops with me.
I have enough water coming out of my eyes
as I hear their stomachs grovel and beg as I sneak them a snack
because the only meal they eat are the ones coming from my hands.
Or how the only time they hear that they are good enough
is that silly little ping on the board to tell them that they are doing what's right
and those lime green notes that said they rocked at... something.
That I believe in them more than they believe in themselves.

My 10 feet by 10 feet world where I fall in love
with every boy and girl as if they were my child.
I chose a land to surround myself with where I am giving my
whole soul to a few. Like how to find Lily the perfect book
how to help Amy get in front of the class. How to help Garrett
care more about his effort than about his red shiny clown nose.
I chose a profession that allows me to change the world and
it all starts a few boys and a few girls.

I didn't decide to get in front of the class to be pounded
by your thunderclouds or to leap from your lightning venon.
No I chose this job because water is needed to strengthen a
planted child but so is a hug when they need it and a shoulder to cry on
when they fail. A place where mistakes are okay and where laughter
is contagious. And of course the right nutrients for their mind is surrounded by safety.

I chose this profession to help make your child the highest tree
and the prettiest flower all wrapped up in one killer little bow.
I will eat your words and swallow that venomous water
So that I can be a guiding hand and show your child that its possible
to be rainproof and that as long as they build their own little world
and aren't afraid of a little dirt. They can make something
broken also beautiful and something beautiful unbreakable.