She is so very quiet.
So very sweet.
Such a good girl.
She rarely talks.
She asks so little.
I work hard to let her know
I see her every day.
Once or twice a week
she sneaks upstairs at lunchtime.
Somehow sliding past the cafeteria monitors
And the parents at the welcome center.
I am always surprised
when I hear her soft voice,
"Miss, can I help you?"
I wonder on those days
if the noise in the cafeteria,
the meanness of some girls,
is just too much.
for her soft, sweet spirit.
She stays ten or fifteen minutes
wipes the board
sharpens pencils,
straightens books,
then heads outside.
Today we are citing evidence.
Less than two weeks from the state test
And I am stunned to realize
Oh my gosh, she doesn't get it.
And I wonder how many other things
She has missed
Because she was too shy
and too sweet
to advocate for herself.
3 comments:
I love the style of this, so quiet, like the girl. I feel for her, as I've known others like her, under the radar, capturing our attention only in their quietude. It was a beautiful reminder to check in with those who don't have their voices yet. Thank you for this. I'm going to check in with mine tomorrow.
But now you've noticed and you're going to be on top of it. You'll coach her and her teacher. That's some great noticing.
Kidwatching is one of your superpowers, Carol. I love the quiet observations here.
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