To My 3rd Block

I am requiring my 10th graders to write poetry, so I whipped this up while they worked.

Pens, pencils, colors of ink
   tops of heads pretending to think
Doodling, drawing, occasional jeer
Hoping that I don't come near
   and find the AirPods in their ears.

Sneaking, munching, dropping crumbs
   - yes, they believe I'm just that dumb
Talking, laughing, way off task
   Is "learning" really too much to ask?

Complaining, whining, acting brave
   worried their grade's too low to save
Trying, risking, making new starts - 
   this is why they hold a special place in my heart.