When I visit schools for poetry and music programs, I often spend time in the teachers' lounge. As a result, curious students frequently ask me what it's like. Unfortunately, I can't tell them, because the teachers swear me to secrecy. Thus, I typically respond just by asking the students what they think it's like. This poem was inspired by some of their thoughts.
The Mysterious Room
Words and spoken vocal by Jeff Mondak
Vocal recorded by Alex Stangl
Music by Tony Charnock
The legend tells the story well
A teachers’ paradise
With chairs and tables made of gold
And sculptures carved from ice
A string quartet plays soft and sweet
There’s candy, cake and more
They prob’ly go on pony rides
When they’re behind that door
Teachers’ lounge, teachers’ lounge
What’s inside the teachers’ lounge?
Fantastic sights beyond compare?
The greatest marvels anywhere?
No kid goes, so no kid knows
What’s inside the teachers’ lounge
The secret of the teachers’ lounge
Has never been exposed
If children try to sneak a peek
The door is quickly closed
It’s said that back in ‘99
A daring boy named Ken
Boldly walked into the lounge
He’s not been seen again
Teachers’ lounge, teachers’ lounge
What’s inside the teachers’ lounge?
Fantastic sights beyond compare?
The greatest marvels anywhere?
No kid goes, so no kid knows
What’s inside the teachers’ lounge
There’s much that we don’t understand
Perhaps it’s meant to be
The questions linger on and on
Into eternity
But since we brighten teachers’ days
And make our teachers proud
The greatest mystery of the lounge
Is why kids aren’t allowed!
Teachers’ lounge, teachers’ lounge
What’s inside the teachers’ lounge?
Fantastic sights beyond compare?
The greatest marvels anywhere?
No kid goes, so no kid knows
What’s inside the teachers’ lounge
No kid goes, so no kid knows
What’s inside the teachers’ lounge
Other poems I've recited, with music by Tony Charnock: