fledgist | too long a sacrifice

you read the essays and aloud you groan
the earnest efforts and the failed attempts
your heart seems all at once turned to a stone
but something in your mind at last pre-empts
your anger and annoyance at the lot
the thought that went into the best essays
just balances the ones that you could not
tolerate on the kindest and best of days
the job's got perks including that you learn
both how to teach and how to understand
the things that you know that you burn
to bring to heel beneath your supple hand
the price you pay is sometimes really hard
but still you labour onward yard by yard