by Stacy Torian
“I TOLD YOU ‘BOUT COMIN’ TO THIS SCHOOL WITH YO’ BUTT HANGIN’ OUT!!“
a fire-eyed principal lambasts a youngster for coming to school in her shorty shorts.
but at age ten what girl truly comprehends the concept of modest dress?
i shudder in wide-eyed observance
silently swallowing her embarrassment
the trembling lips
the shell-shocked gaze
could the same have happened to a little boy
how should I know
i’m only ten!
but i do know
that a young girl’s innocence
is much too precious to die
in an elementary school cafeteria
Copyright 2000. This poem was previously published in the book Soul Speak (2000).
Torian, S. (2000). Soul Speak. Vandorhall.
Stacy Torian 