I guard during the day
I teach
I play
I dole out friendship
I dull pain
I am safety
Providing safe places to lay

I create
I save
I am a model
On how to behave
I am calm
Clean and shaven
Bent, shoe-tieing
Stretching to the heavens
Exercising more than bodies
Ages zero to eleven

I am a teacher
That's my title on my shirt
My students call me Mr.
"But you're daycare!" You blurt
I frown and sigh
An 'insult' meant to hurt
But I know you can't have one without the other
Like having trees without dirt
So is a teacher to daycare provider
That's the title on my shirt

Stress is the constant that never goes away
Pain in the chest
Restless rest
Mind entering the fray

What is one more thing? Already taking it well...
Ethical dilemma
Emotional drama
More sleep minutes to sell

Tell lies to try and appease the few
Hurt inside
Pushed aside
Because it's good for you

The drive home, agonizing
Car flooded with fearful tears
Doctor just spoke the worst words
Cancer; confirming the worst of fears
Forget about money, distance
pressure, and the rain
My shoulder is soft
lean on it when the pain's
to strong to bear
and I'll bear it for you
when you're too weak to stand
I'll be your strength to support you
When you fall, my arms
are the only place you're head'll lay
when you feel like giving up
my love will show you the way
My fingers'll wipe your tears
and my hands are for you to squeeze

Apples to apples
Grapes to grapes
Orange to power
Plum the drapes

A wine for whining
A wax for the shine
A soft spot for fermenting
A barrel for time

Sour's their power
Smashed 's our labor
Blown over the torch on Liberty's porch
Quickly turned the harvest to vapor