Magistra

When I grow up
I want to be a teacher.
Bathing in a thankless world
of God-awful early mornings
and late nights grading papers.
I want to impart knowledge
and inspire young minds.
I yearn for all this trouble
for the smallest of rewards.
I was born for this,
for the front of the classroom
and white boards and textbooks.
I can't imagine doing anything else.
When I grow up
I want to be happy.
But sometimes,
I get this funny feeling
that I can't,
that growing up
means forsaking happiness.
But I'll try.
Starting with my meager dream,
my life's work.
Because I heard once
that if you choose a job you love,
you'll never have to work a day
in your life.