Grade School

I don’t remember my first day
No way

I probably cried
Walking to that building
With the classroom inside

No, I don’t remember that time and space
But I do remember the teacher
Mrs. Thora O’Brien. Strong, stern face
Every feature

A grandmotherly type
Except for a frown
She taught me to read
And write everything down

I was sick with asthma
Missed many a class
At the end of the year,
Concern if I’d pass

But they pushed me to grade two
Where I learned cursive writing
And to make messes with glue
For Mother’s Day

I was on my way