road trip to heaven
with a colorado drive
blue sky sunset dream
inbox second chance
two weeks too late, money spent
hope revealed, heart lost
i want to find home
with work that’s my second home
please just show me how
no more promises
that crush dreams i’ve long carried
with your inbox lies
i came home to you
my city, my youth, my school
don’t betray me now
show me you have grown
built truths from these high prices
that surround me now
please just show me how
fill my inbox with one hope:
second chance success
on this rainy morn
a single note from that song
brings back teen heartbreak
a rough night of dreams
floods of memories, remorse
this reminder stings
why today, this week?
why torment me with lyrics?
i just need a break
to know i’ve moved on
is all i want rain to bring
not floods of regret
two strikes in two weeks
stuck in dogless house, no raise
rescinded promise
this is why they leave
flee the profession in droves
no faith, no support
the burden bears down
when carrying three years’ weight
regrets that trail me
i want to feel good
like the queen of my career
not the peasants’ pawn
but here i am, stuck
wondering when it’s my turn
to win my luck back
the things i will do
to win what love my girls give
sometimes hurt us all
high school musical
composed by genius student
Friday night (spot) lights
mi esperanza:
aquí el examen que
decide todo
(my hope in this test–
this testimony of life–
decides everything)
with tear jerking news
the week is only half done
endings everywhere
i’d pray for results
or let blind faith lead the way
to next day’s surprise?
everything behind
these heart-wrenching decisions
twists inside my soul
letting go: an art
i haven’t mastered just yet
please show me the way
i don’t understand
what you’ve done with these students
since last semester
i saw rowdy freshman
who wouldn’t listen to me,
the sub… anyone
and now with rigor
they listen, think, read, and write?
how did you do it?
i mention The Book
(not the missing feedback talk)
i smile and nod
(consolation prize:
yes, you’re a master teacher
but not good enough)
favoritism stings
when ideas are trapped beneath
brown-nosing bastards
weekend redemption
the ice cream cones they wanted
the park joy for me
they’re so up and down
i could forget sunny skies
but then, why should i?
clouds will always move
but the sun burns heaven-bright
on their childhood
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