‘Twas the Eve of the School Year

by Matthew Ray

Twas the eve of the school year, and all through the town,
No teacher was sleeping, (sitting up or laying down).
They’d prepared their classrooms, so nicely, with care
Anticipating that the students soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of learning danced in their heads.
They thought ‘fore they slumbered, “How will it be?
Will my teacher be nice? Will my teacher like me?”

Next morning came ‘round, and there rose such a clatter
Kids sprung from their beds: school was here, all that matters.
Away to the bus they ran like a flash,
The walkers didn’t walk, but rather, they dashed.

The sun burning sharp on the glimmering playground
Made children squint looking for friends to be found.
When, what to their wondering eyes should appear,
But a group of old classmates, and their teacher this year.

With a big, beaming smile, so wide and so quick,
The teacher announced, “Let’s go inside, kids.”
More rapid than eagles, the students they came,
Climbing stairs nervous, and excited, the same.

“Now students, we need to walk quietly inside,
Walk in a way that shows others your pride.
To the top of the stairs, make a right down the hall,
Let’s get to our classroom, and let’s have a ball!”

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
The students couldn’t resist using their wide eyes to pry.
They looked through the doorway, saw orange and blue
And delighted in seeing a very warm room.

And then, joyfully, they entered in twos
Delighting with gasps at their brand new classroom.
As they circled the room, looking around
There was a quiet surprise mixed with excited sounds.

Teacher dressed in a tie, with new shoes on each foot,
Yet to be covered with instructional soot.
A bundle of supplies were stocked in the back
And he watched with joy as the kids unpacked.

Their eyes-how they twinkled! Their dimples how merry!
Ready to eat school like a sundae (with cherry)!
Most children seemingly ready to go
Eager to learn and to show what they know.

The kids ever thrilled, but also quite fearful
It was hard to ignore the ones that were tearful.
A smile was given, encouraging words shared
“We’re a family here, and everyone cares.”

At the end of the day, all left wanting more,
They smiled so broadly as they walked out the door.
To their homes they traveled, day one in the books
Parents were thrilled at their children’s happy looks.

Students all climbed into their beds,
Remembering kind words and the way they were said.
The teacher at home reflected with pride,
Exhausted but thrilled by the upcoming ride.

It starts from the beginning, when your class first sees you
They know from the start if they want to be near you.
So I hope when you greet, you smile ear to ear
That’s the first ingredient for a phenomenal year.

Respect your students, they deserve it in bunches.
Support their efforts when the pressure crunches.
I wish you well as your new year begins,
Be good to your students, and everyone wins.

‘Twas the Eve of the School Year by Matthew S. Ray is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at photomatt7.wordpress.com.