Teacher

in for a bit of fog...

Teacher

Down to her skirt and girdle she sees double

and triple:  buoys of girls surface

and sink, boys bob and drop—

Yes, down now to her girdle

she runs and dives.  She swallows

water because she was screaming

when she went in, you can’t swim

and scream Burhoe, push it push it!

At once she’s not in the water

at all but in class and  

            Bobby, it’s curved this way            do the letter again, open

            it’s mouth to the right—yes—that’s it—ok—now do 100 yes

            100 and then you can go; Rowena I bet you’re excited

            for the picnic next week will Mr. London be bringing

            his boat?  Oh good, we’ll have a marvelous time.  Just

            like last year.  Me?  I’m making cakes and sandwiches—of course

            report cards oh they’ll be—don’t—boys please don’t push and shove

            to get out the door— Miss Burhoe please I need…

and then hair like pier rope wrapped around

her hand, count, it was 100 C’s and Rowena

to get here and grab, sandwiches and cake and boys

and Mr. London’s boat still tipped and two girls slipping

on and off its keel and sweet Rowena helping

the little ones and recess and pull sweet Jesus Lord

pull and cake and sandwiches and

            it’s my turn Miss Burhoe, pick

            me, pick me…