(To my Fifth Grade Teacher, Rose Kurtz)She loved God, America and me!
Nobody cares how much You Know until They Know how much you care
I was just a country boy, a fighter with messy hair
My first fifth grade teacher was fancy and blonde; she didn't have time for me
I had a reputation; I was mean as could be
I got into a fight, my fists were hard and mean.
I guess I was the orneriest, she had ever seen
They hauled me in from a fight , with scraped up skin. She said I was dumb
I didn't care what she thought, my little heart was numb
Across the hall, A pretty Teacher, saw me sitting there
Clothes all ripped and dirty, trying not to swear
She went to the Principal and said, can he be mine
I will try to reach him, I have got the time.
She took me to her class room and sat me in a chair
Said she really cared for me, that's why I was there
I wondered was I dreaming, why did she care for me
I was just a nasty boy without a single plea
She gently held my hand and said; “You are smart and strong,
You and I can do great things. It won't take very long.”
“I need you to raise the Flag, with me every day
When we say the pledge, you can lead the way
Someday you will be a man with strength to win the world
You will be a leader for other boys and girls
She spent that year just building me, telling me I was great
To get to school and be near her, I could hardly wait
I learned about love and Grace, from my teacher, Rose
She showed me how much she cared. I learned how much she knows.
She died just eight years later, but each year I had time
To meet and greet my Teacher, Tell her I was fine
Now when I meet a tough kid, nobody seems to heed
I try to care like Rose did, to plant another seed.
by calvinc
Author's Comments:
"My 5th grade teacher was one of FDR's Secretaries during World War II. She loved America and Children especially Tough little boys."