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From: eokane@charm.UUCP (Evan Kane)
Newsgroups: net.poems,net.kids
Subject: new monetary system
Message-ID: <328@charm.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 18-Apr-84 18:18:52 EST
Article-I.D.: charm.328
Posted: Wed Apr 18 18:18:52 1984
Date-Received: Thu, 19-Apr-84 03:50:34 EST
Organization: Physics Research - AT&T Bell Labs MH
Lines: 51


     The author is a part-time volunteer at the Summit (NJ) Day
     Care Center. This poem is dedicated in appreciation to Ann Toney
     and Ann Birmingham who are full-time teachers there.

   
                         Caregiver
           
           So lowly held and poorly paid,
           Below the garbage man and cleaning maid,
           I am the caregiver,
           Entrusted with your children.
           I serve them well because I love
           And know how much they need me.
           
           I hold securely in my arms
           The restless promise of America
           And in bare rooms begin to shape
           A nation's destiny.
           I serve them well because I love
           And know how much they need me.
           
           Chest wracked with phlegm,throat sore and hoarse
           From children's germs
           And stories told
           And oft-repeated discipline,
           I serve them well because I love
           And know how much they need me.
           
           No high technology required
           To make my daily plans,
           My heart is surer than my head
           To guide my patient hand.
           I serve them well because I love
           And know how much they need me.
           
           They grow and learn and move beyond,
           With aching heart I wave farewell,
           And always others come along
           To never quite replace them.
           I serve them well because I love
           And know how much they need me.
           
           And my reward is only this,
           To guide the endless fertile stream
           And leave a subtle imprint there 
           To last a whole life through.
           I serve them well because I love
           And know how much they need me.
           
                    Evan Kane  4/15/84