A Rookie Mistake (Poem)

I apologize 

for never giving you a name.

The roster read Michael,

but you also went by Put That Away 

And Listen Up.

At the top of your assignments,

your name read I Need Help

but I took role, seeing your body in a seat,

counting you present 

when your mind was at home 

or somewhere other than 3rd period.

I wanted to call you 

Meet Me After School 

And We Can Do It Together,

but I was too busy seeing your head down 

and mouth open to every conversation 

except the one topic written on the white board.

You were smart, capable, creative 

with markers, sharpies, words, and concepts.

Your name was Wow, That’s Impressive,

but I called on the ones with raised hands 

and moving pencils, 

the ones who kept the grade book full and green. 

I apologize for not calling your names,

for not calling your parents,

for not calling it what it was

which was a chance to get to know your super power

because I needed to be saved 

from my assumptions.