No one ever invited him to a birthday party
Relatives asks his parents to get a sitter
For when they do bring him around
He breaks all of the things he can
Showing his sadness
At three he had been kicked out of two preschools
No teacher could entice him to behave.
The other children stayed clear
Because he was a biter and evil.
They did not know what it was
But it might be catching.
He is twelve now, screaming his anxiety.
Letting them know he needs something.
Keeping his home life to himself
Not sharing the drugs
Not sharing the family secrets
Keeping the classroom perpetually stirred up
Showing his sadness in the only way he knows how
Keeping everyone in utter fear he might target them.
A child who has found his own food since he was three.
Keeping his parents’ addictions secret
Not realizing that everyone knows
Something is wrong.
Thinking it is him.
Glad he has not been invited to those stupid birthday parties.
He would have had a difficult time
Buying a present.
Stand up and cheer very loudly if you know your a’s, b’s, and c’s.
Not so fast, Quinton, Hallie, Sammy, Tom, Brandon, and Kimberly.
Kindergarten is tough if you don’t know your letters or how to write pages, numbered.
Kindergarten is more like first grade used to be when your grandparents so lumbered.
Unfortunately, five is the new seven, because most of your peers have been in school 2 years
By the time these seasoned 5’s reach kindergarten, they are way ahead in knowledge, worksheets, and cheers.
They know the school song, the slogan, the principal, the vice, and both pledge of aliegences all by heart.
They are so far ahead of you who did not attend preschools, that it is not a very even start.
Just be aware that what you are learning is for your own good, and the good of your parents, but how?
When you grow up and you know so much stuff, hopefully you can begin taking care of them both now.