round & full
life-giving-looking
body
with a b o o m i n g voice

can i hug you?

dyed red
angry
hair
strong arms & legs
swollen feet
she was all roundness & curves
rolling gales of laughter
and dark red
l
i
p
s
t
i
c
k

tempertemper

but always
incessantly sweet
like
sugar
cane
(& abel)
round&full

can I hug you?

& her lipstick is still on my cheek.

03/13/2003

Author's Note: My second grade teacher is a consant reminder that I'm not trying my hardest. When I think of her, I think of how I can improve whatever it is that I'm doing. She was an imposing figure, especially to a seven-year-old, but she was always kind. I owe her a lot... her self-esteem was a huge kind of kick-in-the-head for me. She taught me so many things, and not just adding and subtracting apples and stuff. She remains a figure of admiration. I think anyone who knows her would agree.

Posted on 03/13/2003
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