A Letter To My Students Poem by Peggy Chau

Dear students,

I have been working hard here
in this cramped, messy cubicle.
I try to be happy every day
and I pretend to be calm,
though I'm sad deep in my heart.

My spare time spent on you.
My weekends are for work.
What's the return after such sacrifice?
Praise? Thank? Respect?
Sorry, none of them!
But I recall all the complaints,
I remember the disrespectful acts,
and I feel all the attacks
which are so hurt...

I attempt to understand you,
I really want to do so my dear!
But you always close the gate
and blame me for this and that.

Sometimes, I do fancy our future
when you may stand on the stage
and thank me for once.
Okay, I knew it's only a dream.
You didn't, you don't and you won't
spend a split of second
to offer me a glance indeed.

My dear, I'm now tired,
exhausted, totally worn out.
Well, who cares?
As I'm still wearing my lovely mask
acting if I am energetic, satisfied,
contented and pleased.

To be frank, that's enough for me.
Every second,
I ask for help,
I plead for help,
I pray for help.
Yet, there's hardly an answer.

I wish
when the day comes,
when I'm going to escape,
please don't say anymore
beautifully crafted false feelings.
I don't want to be fooled again.
I don't want to face hypocrites.
I have had enough dread,
disappointment and despair.
It's all enough.

A despaired teacher