Something You Should Know…

Something you should know,

is that as a child I would hide

under coffee tables at the ringing of the doorbell

to terrified to greet who had arrived

I would cower under there minute after minute,

even if it was just my grandparents weekly Saturday stop.

Tears would be streaking down my cheeks

as I cowered further under that table…

please don’t see me until I know what you want.

Finally, after what seemed liked forever,

I would silently crawl out and curve into

my mother’s side

and give a sheepish smile to our guests.

Something you should know,

is that as a kindergartener

I cried every single day.

Honestly, looking back I do not know why,

I liked stories, building with blocks and snack time

but the tears flowed each and every day.

One day the teacher asked why I was crying again-

I was embarrassed

so I said that the boy who

was always in trouble threw a block at me-

that was lie!

He received a consequence for my tears

but my voice wouldn’t announce that he was innocent.

I didn’t want any eyes on me.

Something you should know,

is that in my current work as a teacher

I have special bonds with the

quiet, shy, anxious young ones in my care.

When their parents

share their worries about their child’s social sensitivities,

the stories of my childhood days

roll off my tongue.

I seem to offer hope

that their child can be a

successful, social-engaging adult.

Something you should know,

is that those who know me well-

can’t ever believe that my opinions

weren’t flowing freely for all to hear…

#VerseLove Day 8 – Something You Should Know Poem

Prompt: There are many mundane moments and daily actions in our lives. These may seem less noteworthy, but upon closer inspection, you may find that they shed some light as to who we are as individuals.