Poetic Asides Learning

Grade School Lessons

In first grade I learned

about unlikeable people.

The rough boy behind me

was the bane of my existence.

In second grade I learned

that God looked in the window

when the teacher

wanted us to behave.

In third grade I learned

I needed glasses

when I made mistakes

copying from the board.

In fourth grade I learned

how nice leaves looked

once I could see them

with my new glasses.

In fifth grade I learned

what it was like

for a boy to hold

my books for me.

In sixth grade I learned

a teacher’s criticism

could keep a kid

from writing poetry.