After the Parent-Teacher Meeting

My son asks in the barber's chair why the clippers sound angry. The whole shop laughs,

Soft shoes on stone, slow steps through sleep— the sea slips silver

At eight o'clock my worksheet says Explain the water cycle. At eight-oh-five my brain becomes

My pencil says it feels prepared. It sharpened twice last night. My eraser says mistakes are fine.

A train leaves Leeds at half past three. Another leaves York at four. Question six would like to know

I have learned twelve kings, three revolutions, and one extremely important treaty.