I’m sad to say
In this day
Children know who Ke$ha is
And not Robert Frost

I’m sad to say
For an example
Instead of Rosa Parks
Children turn to Chris Brown

I’m sad to say
That instead of watching Arthur
Children tune in to Jersey Shore

I’m sad to say
That when children want to see talent
They don’t care for Aretha or the Beatles
But Miley Cyrus or Lil’ Wayne

I’m sad to say
Children want Mike Vick’s autograph
Instead of Elizabeth Alexander’s

I’m sad to say
That instead of kind words and love
Children are taught violence is okay
From their video games

I’m sad to say
That instead of wanting a new toy
Children want a Facebook

I’m sad to say
That instead of picking up a book
Children reach for a GameBoy

I’m sad to say
That instead of asking their parents
Children run to Google

I’m sad to say
That there are no hugs from the teacher
Because that is against the rules
What the teacher doesn’t know:
That may be their only hug all day.

I’m sad to say
That that lack of knowing who Robert Frost is
That example that Chris Brown gives
That talent that Miley does not have
That language that Jersey Shore teaches
That autograph they get from an animal abuser
That violence they learn
That Facebook they want
That book they leave laying on the shelf
That question they don’t ask their parents
And that hug they do not receive
Will leave an impact
A bad one at that

I’m happy to say
I will change this one day
In my classroom Robert Frost will be read.
Rosa Parks will be an example to all
And talent will be listened to instead.
They will watch Arthur and names will not be called,
They’ll want Elizabeth Alexander to sign their football.
They will learn kindness and love over violence and hate.
They will end up reading all of the books,
They will want that new Barbie for they will learn to appreciate
imagination for what it is.
They will learn to ask questions to their parents because they will know,
How much their parents love them so
And at the end of the day
When all is said and done
Each child will get a hug
To know they are special to me
Because I will be their elementary school teacher you see.