i give exemplars
 rubrics defining each part
 yet you ignore them
 
 you’d rather blame me
 with a 2 a.m. complaint
 that i am unfair
 
 i cordially write
 explaining what makes papers
 but you don’t respond
 
 at school, more chaos:
 PARCC schedule: 2-hour class
 for ninth-grade babies
 
 it’s no wonder when
 one stands up shouting, cussing
 routine wrecked for tests
 
 what people don’t see:
 accountability lost
 teachers? the ones blamed
 
 and yet, i love them,
 want us all to be better,
 face our faults… and win