Bettye Hodge Culbreth

Trenton, New Jersey

Hall Duty

They sashay down the hall
Minutes later, the same students
Promenade up the hall
I ask them for a pass
They give me a big excuse
No pass, I just left my locker.
The teacher didn't give me one
Or the nurse didn't write me one
And I'm looking for my bookbag
My mother is coming to pick me up.
And if they were Pinocchio
Their noses would reach
Down to their feet.
These days on hall duty.
It's then I ask myself WHY
I ever became a teacher ANYWAY.
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