Poetry Friday: Adjusted Curriculum

Business first, then a poem.First, Tabatha Yeatts, you are the winner of the NITA'S FIRST SIGNS book giveaway! Congratulations!Second, I am heading to the ILA conference this weekend. Look for a post later this afternoon with details about my panel session with MG authors Tricia Springstubb, Karina Yan Glaser, Janet Sumner Johnson, and Ruth Freeman. I'll also be signing copies of my new middle grade novel, TAKEDOWN.Third, I had a lovely time participating in Margaret Gibson Simon's blog tour for BAYOU SONG earlier this week. If you haven't had a chance to read that post yet, you'll find it here.Now, a poem.It comes with a trigger warning.My friend, the poet Tim Singleton, wrote this piece on February 15, 2018, in response to the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting."Adjusted Curriculum" was recently published in Dragonfly Arts Magazine. This is a literary journal put out by HopeWorks,  our local rape crisis and domestic violence center. After the poem, you will find more information about HopeWorks.Adjusted Curriculum, 15 February 2018by Tim SingletonMath Class: today we learn to count… bodies.

In Physics, we’ll discuss if heated metal singsas it tears through air, or is the first sound it makesthat scream into flesh, the blood sizzle?The skeleton in the back of Biologyis mute with horror:...what those with meat on their bones do.The Guidance Office wants the smoke to clearbefore you start on college applications.In Home Economics, we’ll find the best wayto get the stain of a friend’s laughterout of the air.All that is left to do in Gymis pick up and re-rack the balls,maybe close a few lockers,swab the floor.The ink of History is blood;the next chapter of the textbookis always empty, waiting to be written.Everyone have a pen?In Art class, be quick when you draw from memory,get the idea on to paper before the person you knewfades away, disappears.How many eulogies must we turn in to receive fullcredit for this English assignment?