The Covid Charge of the Teacher Brigade by Grumpy Old Teacher

“Someone had blundered:

Theirs not to make reply
Theirs not to reason why
Theirs but to do and die.”
—Alfred Lord Tennyson

Three million! Three million
Teachers in play
As the virus works throughout
Our nation today.
Schools must reopen
The Donald has thundered
Ignoring the data, the scientists,
Because people must work.
But teachers and staff have not wondered (that)
Someone had blundered:
 
Fearmongerers all, or so
Secretary DeVos did mock
As she echoed in chief
The chief commander’s talk.
Forward, then, the teacher brigade!
Though the future you cannot scry
Safety your concern
But your mask a muzzle
Fearful are your children, but fie!
Theirs not to make reply
 
Onward and open!
Forward, Teacher Brigade!
Into a mess you had not made
Brush aside the excuses
‘Bout the rise in cases, and deaths,
And hospitalizations by
The Covid deniers.
People must work, the economy calls.
What of their children’s lives?
Theirs not to reason why
 
About a virus that invades
The body’s organs.
An asymptomatic child
Nevertheless could end
With life-long health problems.
But with the school year nigh …
What of our teachers?
They must go back
Their voices despised,
Theirs but to do and die.