She was rhythm with ringlets
daring girl
a dynamo
inside denim leggins
mischievous and head-on bold
eyes lined in black noir
hot sauce on a stormy night.
“What’s that sub’s name, Miss Brussel Sprouts?”
No, Miss Tight Pants
Instead I composed a direct, curt smile.
Drifting from side to side in
a room of square desks in rows
defined by a square system
shedding pedagogy like a pit viper
snaking through unsettled territory
“Know what he’s got in here? This is where he keeps the bodies…”
She fingers the lock on a gray metal cabinet, the corners of her mouth lifting,
“No, seriously Bro, he puts the bodies in here….”
She is on the No Fly List
Forty-five minutes, penned up in class
That’s a lot
Her mind fizzes
the sunlight skirts through the windows
bathing her in exuberance
“How many years you been a sub?”
Enough to learn to like brussel sprouts
and soccer…
I meet her the next day down the hall
wild curls flyin’
eyes twinkling
“I got ISS again,” she calls to me
I shake my head
They simply aren’t equipped
to handle her.
She shuffles to the back.
I love this.
Thank you so much for reading and commenting!
When a child is expected to conform, but is unable to, they are usually set aside as too hard to manage.
You show us the bubbly, uncontainable energy & imagination of this girl. Beautifully.
This is true, Linda. There are so many who fall through the proverbial cracks. It is a sometimes a sad system we have. Thank you for the nice compliment.
Reblogged this on John Cowgill's Literature Site.
Thanks, John!
You are welcome.
You captured this wild spirit! I am sure you have seen a few.
Thanks, Jo!
This tears at my heart. So many children are labeled inappropriately. They just need some caring attention and guidance. Great message!
This is true, Dee. Sadly many children do fall through the cracks and it’s such a waste. Not everyone can fit into the system, it would be good if they could map out alternative routes for some kids. Thanks for reading and commenting!
You really show the sweet and sour in this kid, Lana, one who’s been in ISS so many times she knows she’s got a sub. I loved the interaction between Miss Brussel Sprouts and Miss Tight Pants, the pit viper winding around the square classroom, The No-Fly List. A great word picture, well done. 🙂
Thanks so much, Joan. These kids are out there, and sadly, these are the ones falling through the cracks. It is my hope that one day, we can find a way to fix a broken system.
Beautifully written Lana… an eye opener!
Hello, Iris. Thank you so much for your kind comment. xoxo
Lots said here between your lines Lana. Well done! 😉
Thank you Debby! xo
<3