Certified In Education Poem by Len Webster

Can't spell?
Can't speak?
Why not teach English
To the meek?

Train as a teacher,
You'll do it well.
Nobody minds.
No-one will tell.

Just do what you're told,
Keep your nose clean and smile.
Don't seek promotion.
That'll come in a while.

Provided you don't rock the boat
Or tell them what's what,
And learn to KOWTOW
And not make a blot

A corner of the world's your oyster -
It's not nine to five.
They'll want your soul, mate.
You'll be more dead than alive.

' Teaching's such fun, '
You'll hear many say -
Those who don't do it,
Who think of work and pay

As somehow filling a hole
In the day
And wasting their time
Till life drifts away.

Don't listen to me.
It's all fun, of course.
Be true to your mission
And work like a horse.

Work till you drop.
It's better that way.
Keep your mouth shut.
Don't have your say.

They like it like that,
The manager-type
Who lie and cheat
And say they believe in the hype.

You know better, my son,
My daughter, my friend.
Don't teach and regret
When you reach the end.

Live now while you're young.
Be vibrant. Be free.
Don't follow your father.
Don't end up like me.