The Child You Were Then

Lives filled with pain and uncertainty
Come to my classroom every day.
Will the children be forever lost
Or will they struggle and find their way?

What about the laughter in the halls?
Does it hide the tears that go unshed
Until the still of the night in a secret place
When they're finally alone on their bed?

Through the pages of book and time
We find ourselves reaching for something more
Shall we lose our place and find
That we wander but find yet another closed door?

If we focus on just today
The moment we're given in hand
Will the breath of life that we breathe
Restore and strengthen us again?

In every room of every school
Lives and wills will be changed
Will they be forever broken by too hard rules,
Or will teachers find compassion to mend?
Children who are hopeless, crippled, and sad
Who may not ever have both a mom and dad
Who look to you as their only friend
Even in defiance of the rules you won't bend.

What will you do when their tears finally fall
Give a shoulder for them to cry on, when they call?
Help them to tear down the walls that they frantically build
That shields them from the hurt, the pain, the guilt?

For every child, don't be too quick to judge
The color of their skin, clothes, or hair.
Inside protecting walls that they build
May be the soul of a child who greatly fears.

Embrace today, the challenges you face
Don't take it for granted--you're abundantly blessed
When you look at that child who's in your care,
Remember how you found your way, and just be there.