His name I have forgotten Schoolmate from so long ago But I remember his face Thin, pale, anemic. The day after Other kids laughed about it Made fun of him As though he had caused it I turned away Couldn’t bear to listen Couldn’t bear to remember But I do remember . . . still How he and his family Were murdered Their throats slit Their blood painting the floors So I turned away Regretting that I didn’t say a word On his behalf.
Knowing childhood, running rolling, climbing laughing, sometimes crying pretending wishing, friending learning. I was allowed to be myself, encouraged to be more, if I could. I was so lucky ~~~ To this day I know childhood ~~~
I am a teacher Most of my children are not my own Like anyone’s child, no one is perfect, but neither am I I will forget their names And I will miss them dearly They will always be My children
Children
ReplyDeleteHis name I have forgotten
Schoolmate from so long ago
But I remember his face
Thin, pale, anemic.
The day after
Other kids laughed about it
Made fun of him
As though he had caused it
I turned away
Couldn’t bear to listen
Couldn’t bear to remember
But I do remember . . . still
How he and his family
Were murdered
Their throats slit
Their blood painting the floors
So I turned away
Regretting that I didn’t say a word
On his behalf.
Rick Stepp-Bolling
Knowing childhood,
ReplyDeleterunning
rolling, climbing
laughing, sometimes crying
pretending
wishing, friending
learning.
I was allowed to be myself,
encouraged to be more, if I
could.
I was so lucky ~~~
To this day
I know childhood ~~~
I am a teacher
ReplyDeleteMost of my children are not my own
Like anyone’s child, no one is perfect, but neither am I
I will forget their names
And I will miss them dearly
They will always be
My children
teens toss the ball in my yard
ReplyDeleteI invite them to play there
their Dad apologies