A
Grateful Ballad
Dedicated
to Guy Holliday and America's educators
And all students at Warren High School, Downey, California
The
Drum Major moved her baton gracefully
The
blue-and-gold clad band members were in rhythms
The
music filled the air
The
color guards danced their flags
The
music teacher gave his all to the band.
The
skies are their limits
The
students got up the earliest
Rain
or shine they came to practice
“Only
positive attitudes beyond this point”
The
music teacher gave his all to the band.
The
High School band transformed my dear daughter,
From
a pianist to flautist to drumline captain
The
100-plus musical members became her family
Once
she was late, she did her pushups with integrity
It
came from her teacher who gave his all.
A
parent can only say and discipline within limits
A
teacher bears on his shoulder a much heavier load
He
chooses to be detached from personal feelings,
Forging
the endurance, stamina and tolerance;
The
music teacher gave his all to his students.
The
hard-working band is not for everyone
It’s
like West Point’s territory
Once
you choose to elevate your level of thinking,
A
motto on the door that keeps the negatives out;
The
music teacher gave his all to the band.
My
gratitude to you, teachers, for your American blessing
My
child would not have been accepted to a
good college
Had
it not been for you and your fellow educators;
With
your educational principle,
You
all have given your hearts to America’s children.
Linh
Duy Vo
Thanksgiving 2002©
© Copyright by Linh Duy Vo. All rights reserved.