Time Out

I was always a teacher’s pet

I think it was the lack of attention I received at home.

I was always the

Line Leader,

The most prestigious role

Of a preschooler.

I was never sent

To sit in the green chair.

I always followed the rules

To a T.

I was always a teacher’s pet

I think it was the lack of time from working parents.

I was the biggest tattletale

When rules were broken.

Aaliyah followed the rules too…

She was my only friend.

I was always the Mommy

Whenever we’d play ‘House’.

Aaliyah was my Sister,

I always protected her.

I was always the teacher’s pet

I think it was the way life made me grow up quickly.

Aaliyah and Alyssa

Fought over the doll,

It was Aaliyah’s turn,

Alyssa had a turn yesterday.

They pulled on the plastic doll,

Until Aaliyah let go and began to cry.

I thought of what my Mommy would do

Mommies always knew best.

I was always a teacher’s pet

I think it was the way I was disciplined at home.

Mommy always hit me when I misbehaved.

I raised my arm and landed my hand on

Alyssa’s back, the familiar smacking sound

Bringing me back into reality.

Alyssa began to cry and dropped the doll,

My cheeks flushed, realizing what I had done.

My heart began to beat out of my chest—

I handed the doll to Aaliyah; I knew I’d be in trouble.

I was always the teacher’s pet

I think it was the way I was finally disciplined properly.

I sat in the green chair as I sobbed

I’d rather get a spanking—

Mom’s shoe wasn’t this humiliating.

I apologized for hitting

And was revoked of my title

Until I worked my way up again.

I was always the teacher’s pet

I think it was Miss Annette and Miss Judy who taught me that Mommy wasn’t right for hitting me as discipline.

I thank Miss Annette and Miss Judy

Who dug out the weeds,

Of the toxic environment I grew up in

And watered the abandoned seeds my parents dropped—

With love, time, and patience.

Those preschool teachers

Whom I will always carry in my heart

As they were the nurturers

Of the world I would grow into.

The world that grew in green

And thrives with an array

Of rainbow flowers.

The garden of proper discipline

I will grow my own children in.

They will not be teacher’s pets,

They will be MY sunflowers.