marking essays in the autumn night

young minds attempt to grasp difficult thought
vocabularies strain with effort to express
ideas over which the centuries have fought

the essays struggle often come to naught
the reader's heart at least they do depress
young minds attempt to grasp difficult thought

compound of cynic and innocent they've brought
themselves a few hard certainties to dress
ideas over which the centuries have fought

the night is long the reader's brain is fraught
with ideation of a different kind we bless
young minds attempt to grasp difficult thought

by virtue or benevolence the game is fought
with vigour enough to heat under press
ideas over which the centuries have fought

to read and think and make the marks support
the urge to learn and never to repress
young minds attempt to grasp difficult thought
ideas over which the centuries have fought