Today we sat like equals
and discussed my blog post,
your preference of teaching styles
and giggled like old pals
under the burning sun
on the red picnic tables
air thick with pollen
minutes after you left, well
we asked you to leave
for adult time
another slew rotated in
under the burning sun
on the red picnic tables
air thick with pollen
“Ms. C. do you consider yourself Asian?”
“Yes, India is in the continent of Asia.”
“But I never say, when people ask me where I’m from, that I’m Asian. I always say Indian.”
Our conversation progresses to skin color and north Indians vs. south Indians
how Indonesians like Indians have a spectrum of skin color
each of you, with each of us:
Indian male,
Indonesian male,
Indian teacher,
Polynesian teacher
under the burning sun
on the red picnic tables
overlooking the field
air thick with pollen
the final group rotates through,
as the last leaves just as abruptly
“Ms. T. would you defend your husband’s family over your best friend?”
“Best friend”
“we are so gonna win that debate.”
just like that
the bell rings
under the burning sun
on the red picnic tables
air thick with pollen
eleven more days of this glory
eleven more days and then goodbyes.
