I'll Speak Up

2007. Our first required poem in a class, and my friends asked me to write a bus poem. My first bus poem, and also my first poem to tell people they can kiss it. Ha!

I have an idea for my life,

that involves dedication and strife,

who doesn't?

Mom, I don't want to teach,

Dad, I don't want to preach.

I want to work with horses,

and a school bus I would drive!

we make our own decisions,

it's our lives,

they tell us!

 

So, I ask,

what's wrong with horses and driving a bus?

I should think nothing,

so I'll speak up!

 

I try to be who I am,

and a bus driver I may want to someday be;

there is so much ridicule,

this country is free,

so leave me be!

You are all so nosy and rude,

can't you see?

Apparently not,

so I'll speak up!

I talk to the drivers,

innocently enough,

I simply be nice,

and being made fun of

is the price?

I've been called Mini Poof, Laura, the bus driver's pet!

Once even Pam's pet,

whom I had just met!

I'm not a suck-up,

so I'll speak up.

 

Don't be jealous,

sometimes I'm a bit more mature than you,

I can carry an intelligent conversation,

without childish imitations!

I know the route,

So I can help when

the sub hasn't a clue,

and even " Crazy Carl" doesn't miss a stop,

you see, the errors are few!

 

I know all the drivers' names and numbers,

and the different buses bumper to bumper!

A few people know me at the bus barn,

and I almost forgot to call in this morning, gosh darn!

I guess I didn't set my alarm,

but I'll make sure to tell Greg

I'll be getting on at the farm.

I know Chuck from the Community Band,

he plays tuba, ha-ha, isn't that grand?

And of course, there's Jerry Berry;

he's been here forever!

Mom says he doesn't look any older,

and that what's scary…..

Then there's always Larry!

Yes, I know all this and it might seem odd,

but I don't care, I'll speak up!

 

This is who I am,

and " frankly dear, I don't give a da--!"

There's nothing wrong with being a bus driver,

so go Laura, go Pam!

I'm not going to sit here quietly

and be made fun of by you!

Bus drivers have lives other than that;

they're people too!