The Life of a Teacher

"Don’t be mad, Miss A., but I lost my essay.
I didn’t know they were due today."

But today’s the day I’m figuring your grade,
So… be afraid. Be very afraid.

By mid-morning, my classroom’s in disarray;
Papers and trash every which way,

The mountains of papers piling up on my desk
Have moved beyond frightening and into grotesque.

Gazing around, I can’t hide my dismay,
Lessons and textbooks and backpacks, oh my!

All these things my job does feature,
Welcome to the life of a teacher!