A TEACHER'S PRAYER

      O LORD, make me feel and yearn the way their little souls aspire.

        So I can set and pluck the right chord of my living lyre.

  Make me crave and long the way their little minds imagine.

          So I won't put myself above their childish margin.

          Make me crave and long the way their little hearts desire.

          So in their childish misdemeanour's I won't be set afire.

          Make me the balm to soothe and the pill of quick relief.

          Then tide of their spirit is low and overrun by grief.

          Make me a refuge safe for every despairing little heart.
And a heaven of hope when their tender pride is bruised and hurt.

So I can perceive every detail and secret of its parts.         

        That by knowing them, I won't be uncertain and hesitating

          Of what to do right and what I am to abstain and retrain from;

          With thy light divine to lend my steps and my blind thoughts aright,

          And thy presence in every task I do and in all my undertaking,

          I may not grope in the darkness of my own ignorance,

          And Ariel with its fiery heels and devilry-giving spell

          Won't dare set afoot to cast its misleading shadow of doubt,

          So as to bedim, to eclipse, and canopy the fluorescence of thy truth;

          Then may I with thy will and grace and blessing not fail.

         In this herculean task and mission thou hast entrusted me

         To share in designing a citizenry fundamentally sound and tall.

          And worthy future citizens of the world with eligible souls.