School starts in ten days and
I have a list of names in a spreadsheet
freshly extracted from the student information system
The S. I. S.
Fourth graders, all
as that’s what I teach
Fourth graders. You’ve heard that old line, right?
“Oh, you’re a teacher. What do you teach?”
“Fourth graders.” Awkward pause.
I’ve looked at that spreadsheet and even queried the SIS
that all-knowing database
but found it to be missing some information
The student in the 11th row
is he excited about coming to school?
I wonder about the kiddo in row 4
Science is her favorite subject
but how can I help her love the others?
Does Row Number 6 know that Row Number 8
is worried about making friends
just like he is?
Row 2 can’t wait to tell me about her summer,
her trip, and all the fun she had, yet
There’s no mention that Row 23
wishes she could forget the last three months
Row 14, I’ll find out on my own
loves reading while snuggled on the couch
with his new step-mom
But that’s not in the database
I have birthdays and addresses
I guess there’s that