I am a teacher

I am a teacher
And I give a mere simple lecture
I used not swords
But simple instructions in mere words

–

I am a teacher
Just a simple human creature
But I moulded every child
Better than the genes of parents
I opened their eyes
And I set them to walk their brains

–

Once I asked a boy if he knew Guyana
He fumbled and mumbled, he said Ghana
I told him to think not only Africa
But to look, look further beyond America
He knew not anything called geography
I only remember him the other day
When he said ” Fasten your seat belt”
Now he is a Pilot

–

When I told a girl that 8+8 = 16
And that 2+14 = 16
She thought I am playing with numbers
She knew not this was simple arithmatic
But to go for my monthly pay today
At her window I extend my hand
Now she is an Accountant

–

But for having stood in class for quite so long
I am now half lame.
For all the pupils shrilling noises
I am now half deaf.
For all my decades long dusty chalky work
I am now half blind.
And for all my loud shouts to the cheeky ones
I am now half dump.

–

But with all these predicaments

I have no disappointments.

For having passed half my Life

I have done half my Job

–

Taban Abel is an MP in Lakes State Assembly. He can be reached on ayeuabel@yahoo.com