absenteeism
shuffles in a class bully
to begin my day

meeting turned sour
by news of favorite students
choosing other schools

(but i don’t blame them
after my reception here
and structure-less rules)

lunch: a cruel email
brings sixty minutes on hold
all for eight digits

if i had those numbers
for what i should earn each day
this wouldn’t matter

dean’s accusation
ends my locked-door afternoon
loss, theft, and questions

at home, door swings wide
my baby with arms open
smile bright as birth

we draw skating paths
multicolored chalk, sunsets
stress melts into love