Public Service

Before work I inhale,
inflate myself with hot
caffeine, swollen with the
infectious implication that

each word that insidiously
slips out of my flap-flap-
flapping lips is precariously
close to being important.

and as I exhale I conjure
inspirational messages and
questions that ignite something
that is so far in the future

I can only hope that it will
still exist. I stand up straight,
unafraid of the scrutiny of
little eyes, making me regret

that damned scientific inquiry
and I brush off the attitude
and insult, the “but, but, but”
and “I’m no good”s and the
failing grades and the demands
for a quality, quality, quality
education, as I inhale

again

I say good morning