Expectations
Expectations too high, too much
No reason to fail right
Illiterate, not able to read
Second grade, seven years old
But mother was disappointed
Her daughter, a failure
She put her in the corner
Timeout.
Hardwood floors with rusty nails sticking out
The walls a wan yellow
Books were overwhelming, blocking any escape
Dr.Seuss, Cinderella, and the Three Blind Mice
Words were a jumble, a mixture of causing confusion
Her whole day was spent looking at books
Attempting to decode its phrases
Time was up.
Mother took her to the couch
Got her to pull her pants down
Mother got a wire hanger
Whoosh-one time, whoosh-two times, Whoosh-whoosh-whoosh
Pain reached her bottom, hot skin wanting to burst
Holding back her tears she went back to the lonesome corner
Once again attempting to decode the phrases
