with genuine tears
 she breaks the bad news: yellow.
 an ugly color.
 
 she gives hope to green
 for this year’s judgment of us,
 of poor-ranking kids
 
 i know she means it:
 i know she knows our hard work
 because she’s been there.
 
 on yellow Friday,
 with grace i can’t quite master,
 she’s won me. again.
 
 that closes the week
 with less money, but more pride
 to be a teacher.