"What's it like to teach in a prison?"
"Are security guards with you all the time?"
"It must be so scary; how can you stand it?"
"Nope; it's just me, by myself, six-to-one."

Teachers start with a briefing. Who's new to each class
and which day to begin them; hope he'll work hard and pass.
Period 1 starts at 8, so my only real chance for the morning
is to get coffee before, piping hot, for tongue burning.

Some like it scalding. Some like it hot.
I take what I can get from the community ***.
Not terribly picky, it's the caffeine that I crave.
I'll take it lukewarm or cold to make it through my day.

But as for the teaching, it's really the best
situation I've taught in all through my career.
Men getting a new lease, returning to society
with education, vocation, more prepared for life's tests.

So, if I have to drink my coffee when it's gone past its prime
because I've been tutoring this one,
or prepping that one in writing,
My reward is his success: I'll drink when there's time.

When he kissed her lips.
He tasted life.
He knew that he wanted her for his wife.
When he touched her.
He felt like he was in heaven.
And that she was the reason for his living.

"My life's going nowhere," he said with a sigh.
"I'm locked up in prison for the third time."

"While you're here, go to school," I advised the young man.
"Use your time wisely; get ahead, make a plan."

"I did drugs on the outs, crystal **** and *******,
loved getting high, never feeling any pain."

"Well, you're clean while you're here, let's get some work done.
Learn some English and math, nouns and verbs, Algebra 1."

"I wish I'd finished high school when I had the chance.
This work is much harder!" He fidgeted, like ants in his pants.

Situation Normal All Fouled Up, like so many, frustrated. General Situation, reporting for duty.