That’s What I Do
You can't see me. But you CAN hear me. As I breathe in your ear. Inhale...exhale...inhale...exhale.
You break the monotony by asking a question, to which I respond in-kind. Still faceless. Yet my voice resonates in your ear, heckling you, asking for more and more information, until one of us considers the interview over and disconnects the bond.
Sometimes, I might even get someone else to breathe in your ear, to speak in your ear, all the while a faceless entity with knowledge about YOU.
"Thank you for calling Customer Support. My name is Trina. How may I help you?"
Oh Binomial One
You've poeted
your fingerprints
all over dry ink
that's spilt
and dripped
.
...Is this it?!
Not another drop?
Nothing yet
...to Right?
...to Wrong?
...just Belly up
after all...?
.
1 O 1 Oh One
more digital dot
.
You are Not
a writer
in a stable
Our host at the
drafting table
.
...Where's their Toast?
Not tossed poison
which still burns
...proud chests
...that Rose
...and fell oh
long ago...?
.
O 1 O 1 Oh One
more wretched blot
.
Rip the past to hell
If it'd clear the
writes wrongly
caught within
a crusted vice
.
...Who'll pen the
mystification
that's grown
...in silver smoke
... and pencil cloaked
...two-way mirror
monitors...?
.
O 1 Oh One... more
...shot
.
No Eyes In the Back of My Head
Four students, all with severe deficits cognitively, behaviorally and functionally. All four, nonverbal. And me, a teacher. A referee? A gatekeeper? A human electric fence? Sand on linoleum floor. Water spilled, because bubbles in the sink entertain. Doors closed, a mere challenge to open and bolt out- up stairs, down stairs, pass general education students attending to their school day desk work. And one wanted the toy of another. With no verbal language, he attempted to take it. The other student, unable to verbalize "hey, that's mine", scratched him and I (holding my runner student's hand to sweep with me the sandy floor, should have seen and prevented this "forgotten" student's wound. Welcome back to the perpetual feeling of inadequacy that comes with teaching. Welcome back to school!
