To a Teacher

C C Hurt once and for all into silence A long pain ending without a C song to prove it Who could stand F beside you so close to Eden, when you glinted in every eye the held-high razor, C shivering every ram and son? C And now the silent loony bin, where the shadows live in the rafters like day-weary bats, F Until the turning mind, a radar signal, lures them to exaggerate C G7 Mountain-size on the white stone wall your tiny limp C How can I leave F you in such a house? Are there no more saints and wizards to praise their ways with pupils, C No more evil to stun with the slap of a wet red tongue? G7 Did you confuse the Messiah in a mirror and rest because he had finally C come? Let me cry F Help beside you, Teacher I have entered under this dark roof as fearlessly C as an honored son enters his father's house G7 C F C F C