Why do I teach

Many persons may wonder,
"Why do teachers teach?"
And often they may ponder,
"Isn't wealth beyond their reach?"

I have asked myself that question,
As I look at my paycheck and lament.
Have I, despite my good intentions,
All my abilities and talent misspent?

They say we build the nation,
With each young mind we fill.
Yet when I'm at the service station,
Why must I carefully monitor the bill?

As teachers we're like miners,
Finding diamonds in the rough.
Helping diamonds to be fine diners,
While enduring a life that is tough.

Yet I understand why I continue,
To give knowledge and advice,
There's no greater feeling than to add value,
And to influence change in someone's life.

But teachers should shirk their inaction,
And start to really value their worth,
To expect and demand compensation,
While they're still alive on earth.

For if we continue to daily accept,

Verbal praise and monetary disdain,
Our hardships we must not regret,
For we have none but ourselves to blame

Done by Marvin Williams