When I Act Tough They

It’s Lovely To Know That The World Can’t Interfere With The Inside Of Your Head.

I Asked My Dad What Afflicted Meant And He Said 'sickness Son, And Things That Don't Fit.'

I Had No Accomplishments Except Surviving. But That Isn't Enough In The Community Where I Came From, Because Everybody Was Doing It. So I Wasn't Prepared For America, Where Everybody Is Glowing With Good Teeth And Good Clothes And Food.

In The High School Classroom You Are A Drill Sergent, A Rabbi, A Shoulder To Cry On, A Disciplinarian, A Singer, A Low-level Scholar, A Clerk, A Referee, A Clown, A Counselor, A Dress-code Enforcer, A Conductor, An Apologist, A Philosopher, A Collaborator, A Tap Dancer, A Politician, A Therapist, A Fool, A Traffic Cop, A Priest, A Mother-father-brother-sister-uncle-aunt, A Bookeeper, A Critic, A Psychologist, The Last Straw.

There Are So Many Ways Of Saying Hi. Hiss It, Trill It, Bark It, Sing It, Bellow It, Laugh It, Cough It. A Simple Stroll In The Hallway Calls For Paragraphs, Sentences In Your Head, Decisions Galore.