Young minds, free and malleable

Delicate and wild, ever soaring

And pursuing an interest not easily tamed.

They live on the canvas,

On paper and pencils,

In tubes of acrylic,

In boxes of chalk.

They live in an old jar

Of brushes and sculpting tools,

In oils and charcoal,

In the world of the soul.

Smocked in somebody's father's old shirts

They're ready to create

And ready to learn

Ready to express,

Improve and impress,

With an experienced eye and hand

There to guide,

As they develop,

I'll be by their side.