Obnoxious Kids

Obnoxious kids, their work they wish

They didn’t have to do.

They laugh, they play, they talk, they say

Things they think no one hears

To all avoid the tasks of school.

“What’s this?” they ask in ruse—

A covert query all designed

To make the teach a fool.

But ah, I know, no question’s dum

But some should ne’er be asked

Of me, for I have miles to go

Before they sleep, for I

Have promises to keep and that

Is really why I teach:

To read, to write, to speak English

With kids I guess I like.