BEHIND THE MASK OF BEAUTY - Teachers Care Too

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I walked into school
With a bruise on my face
When someone looked at me
I made sure to turn away

When it hurt really bad
I would hide in a stall
Making sure to keep quiet
And walk normal in the hall

Made sure my face was clean
That no one noticed the tears
Making sure I acted happy
So no one could see my fear

All I really wanted
Was to let my tears overflow
But I was so scared to get hurt again
I couldn't let anyone know

If I did, it meant more pain
More getting tossed around the room
I couldn't handle it again
At least not so soon

My bruises were blue, purple, yellow
They even started to bleed
All I could do was take the pain
My parents wouldn't listen to me

I would ask them to stop
That I can't take it anymore
It only caused them to hit harder
Even harder than before

I learned to just keep quiet
Not to let them see me cry
I had to be very tough
And hold the pain inside

I never knew the reason
They never cared to explain
I figured they got their happiness
By causing me pain

I couldn't take it anymore
I had to let somone know
So when the day was almost over
I let my bruises show

People looked at me with sympathy
But never said a word
They held in their thoughts
Never asked how I was hurt

One woman, my algebra teacher
She is an angel in my eyes
She saw my bruises and tears
Then she took me aside

She spoke softly to me
With such love and care
She asked what had happened
How the bruises ended up there

I told her my story
How I felt so alone
I told I was scared
I coulnd't go back home

She took care of me
She made sure I was safe
She told me not to even think about
Going back to that awful place

She offered to adopt me
I was extremely surprised
That my teacher would willingly
Accept me into her life

She didn't have children
She was also alone
I gladly accepted
To call her place my home

To those who don't appreciate
Who think teachers don't care
To those who think there's no one to talk to
But are not aware

Teachers have hearts too
To them their students are their world
If you are in any pain
Talk to them, they will help

By: Crystal Martinez

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