I stand in front of the classroom

with a tight smile

A student says that I am a dork

They are as ready to dispatch with me

as I am.

You see, I am old and you are young

I want to tell them.

I feel they notice all my imperfections.

How can I tell them about cold, lonely nights

Insanity!

The beginning and the end of love

the endless mental institutions

When they call me a dork, I

silently agree.