too impatient with life. If there's a lull,
a pause, quiet breath or sigh,
she jumps into the void with comments,
accusations, instructions for the substitute
teacher on classroom protocol
voiced out of turn, without even trying
to raise her hand. Before lunch, there's
conflict with another girl but after
talking to the sub, exchanging sorry's,
they miraculously hug. After lunch,
always hard to settle down, the puppy
comes close to blows with biggest girl
around before the sub can talk her down.
No filters, doesn't to know
when she's met her match.
She's on speed, this one, but it's just
her personality. Other kids, afraid
they'll be drawn, helpless, into vortex
of trouble in her orbit, keep their distance.
She needs a friend. Today it was Mrs. G,
who didn't get mad like the last sub
they remember. She received not one
note, but three declaring pastel love,
tattoo-like drawing from a boy,
and this, misspelled acknowledgement,
self-awareness in an 8-year-old most
adults must pay a shrink to get.
There's something great about that,
don't you think?
(c) Ellen Gillette, 2013
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