The Book of American Negro Poetry/The Teacher

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3893528The Book of American Negro Poetry — The TeacherJames Weldon JohnsonLeslie Pinckney Hill

THE TEACHER

Lord, who am I to teach the way
To little children day by day,
So prone myself to go astray?

I teach them Knowledge, but I know
How faint they flicker and how low
The candles of my knowledge glow.

I teach them Power to will and do,
But only now to learn anew
My own great weakness through and through.

I teach them Love for all mankind
And all God's creatures, but I find
My love comes lagging far behind.

Lord, if their guide I still must be,
Oh let the little children see
The teacher leaning hard on Thee.