Tutors

Once was a time, not so long ago,
We knew that the future was ours.
We knew who we were, and where we would go:
Our minds were aflame with our powers.

We set off proud and tall:
destination was all.
The world was ours for the taking;
But so soon, on our way,
We got trapped in life’s fray:
A nightmare from which there’s no waking.

Regrouping, we thought
That, though dreams came to nought,
We could still succeed in our mission:
To our children we’d teach
All we could not reach,
And imprint their young minds with our vision.
***
Just yesterday (now so long ago),
We passed on our wisdom and sorrow.
Now our children, as they grow,
Must carry our hopes to tomorrow.