Behind her happy façade, a tear steals away…

I have exerted so much of myself to this job, and to my students,

That I don’t have anything left for myself.

I am exhausted.
I am burned from deep within my core.

I sit and take the abuse all day.
I watch as my desk gets taken over, and as they fight over my computer to see who can blast the music louder.
I observe as my students cut and draw on my signs and packets, which I spent sleepless nights on planning.
I tidy up the mess all over my floor from their crumbs, wrinkled paper balls, and broken pencils.
I deal with the fact that I can literally stand in their faces, while lecturing, and that they will continue to ignore me, while talking on their cell phones or to their friends.
I quietly watch as they chase each other around my room, while slipping and sliding.

I take all the childish behaviors with a grain of salt, because when my day is over...I can breathe a sigh of relief that I survived.

Hoping I was able to be that “someone” who is a constant in their ever-changing lives.

When the final bell rings...
I feel like a bird, captive in a cage, that hasn't spread her wings all day.
I am now able to converse without restraint,
To cry without hesitation,
To dance without fear,
Free to just be me.

But I am bombarded by the same juvenile antics, even after work.

Only difference is this time,
I don't have any patience left.
My sanity has disintegrated.
I’m bare.

Go ahead… exploit me.
I’m all yours…