LABELS

Labels on jars, usually tell what's inside,
while labels on people, do nothing but hide,
The worth of the person, or depth of the soul,
The gifts that they bring, to the world as a whole.

Yet the world is tuned in, to labels unending,
Most of which really, are not worth defending,
For they simply detract, from a person's true being,
And generate nothing, but negative feelings.

Our schools should be places, where children can learn,
Not just academics, but human concern,
For those who are different, and not quite as able,
Who need understanding, not a meaningless label.

Yet throughout our schools, all over this nation,
Is something we know as "special" education,
Where labels abound, and problems unfold,
Because some kids are "different", and don't fit the mould.

So we sort and we label, and continually hide,
Behind groups of letters, that supposedly describe,
What a child's really like, what he can or can't do,
And then justify placement, with a relative few.

It all seemed so simple, this labeling game,
But since its inception, our schools aren't the same,
For along with each label, expectations accrue,
And rather than many, they tend to be few.

So let us give thought, to a label demise,
And hope in the future, that we all realize,
That labels on jars, are of value we know,
But labels on people, someday must go.

ANON.