today I was a teacher.

her breath is stinky,
sweet, and sour. it worms through
my nostrils, alive.

knotty flax flosses
cling to the lunch still in the
corners of her lips.

i am angry, but
suddenly granted relief,
tenderness, humor

by this funny child
with dirty, jagged nails that
beg to snag the silk

of my new blouse as
she wraps her arms around my
middle and thanks me.