no reciprocation

you want to care
for each and every one of them
but they don't give a damn
not even for themselves

they

stare
ignore
pass notes
or even text on cells

have not a single qualm
to put their heads on desks
and doze

as I
do song and dance
and give my spiel
so they have
tools and crutches

helping them
to inch along
the slippery slope
of freshman life
and make it
to the fourteenth week