POEM: Out of Place in a Testing Space

​POEM: Out of Place in a Testing Space by Joan E. Gosier
November 05, 2010 10:55 AM EDT 
AN EXCERPT FROM "COTTON PICKIN' PAYCHECK-A 21st CENTURY JOURNAL OF ESCAPE FROM SLAVERY (1989-2014)




With one clock on the wall
One teacher standing tall
One test that fits all
One mind back at a mall
One mind left in the hall
One mind running ball
One mind on a cellular call
One mind like a solid brick wall
One mind not even here y'all

What time ends this class?
No!  Not giving another hall pass!
Some are rude, disrespectful...just crass...
Some obviously can't go fast...
This mindset just can't last!

Can't DO...Won't DO...Never win...
Turn in your test completely filled in.
Log off your computer, here's your pen.
I don't see how U are going to survive.

This mindset won't fit a 9 to five.

What in the FUTURE are you going to DO?
Well, the bell has rung, it's now on U.

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