As I sit and grade their papers
I wonder which will be the rapers?
I look at them and think I aughter
buy a gun for my dear daughter.

How do I get inside the head
of that one boy before he's dead?
There is a soul inside that body
even if his work is shoddy.

There is a mind within that skull.
who am I to say he's dull?
I do my best to give him learnin'
But he sits there, just 'a squirmin'.

I wish that he could see inside
of me and know I'd feel such pride
If I could reach him, even teach him.
But to the wind I do my preachin'.

Maybe I'm a' castin' seed
that will sprout up to fill his need.
Maybe my work won't be in vain.
I'll never know, and that's the pain.

But I'll keep on pushing books
and giving him those thoughtful looks.
I will not quit, I'll show him how.
Besides, they pay me forty thou.