we stand scorched by sun
 for a staff pic no one wants
 on fragile bleachers
 
 this after staff talk
 the same pointless PowerPoint
 that’s plagued our careers
 
 after late release
 of the rowdiest last class
 prisoners of bells
 
 after no planning
 scheduling glitches abound
 grade books that won’t load
 
 after absent kids
 gone for testing, Muslim Eid
 gaping holes in class
 
 after percussion
 the endless percussion of
 kids who can’t sit still
 
 after fall won’t start
 with no air conditioning
 and no new pay raise
 
 and you want to teach?
 it sucks the life out of you
 (but—kids blow it back)