When you waltzed into my classroom, eyes full of wonder

When you laughed and sang and began to ponder

When the sky turned dismal 

When the rain began to fall

Did you know it was you who I do this for?

As you scrunched your face with doubt or worry

As you smiled at a friend or even at me

As you watched me teach and knew who you could be

Did you know it was you who I do this for?

With fairy lined fabric and shelves full of books

With backpacks and jackets hung on the hooks

With pain and sorrow

With joy and awe

Did you know it was you who I do this for?

Because the world can be cold

Because the world can be bright

Because the world turns the earth from darkness to light

Because no one should be alone

Did you know it was you I do this for?

Anything might happen to little smiles and eyes

Anything might happen when we look to the skies

Anything might happen as joy seeps into our hearts

Anything might happen as we sit together in the dark

Did you know it was you who I do this for?

I’m not a poet

I’m not a writer

I’m not a chef

I’m not a artist

What I am is a teacher.

That is, what's left of my heart. 

Its broken and callused

 a little bit off. 

It’s fractured and ashen but it isn’t for not. 

As I list what I am not, I acknowledge what I am.

I am a teacher. 

I am a leader. 

I am a comic.

I am a friend.

But for you my dear student I would be anything you need. 

For you my dear student I would be every thing

I would be a writer

I would be a poet

I would be a chef

I would be an artist

For you my dear student I would be anything 

Its you I do it for. 

I would be anything for you. 

I would bleed purple and cry orange juice

I would abandon hope or gravitate towards it

I would stay up late and lose all sleep

I would spend my money and have no food to eat

It may not be much

Hardly anything at all. 

But what I have is yours

Take it as you please. 

What I have is yours. 

Tell me what you need.