PARENT-TEACHER NIGHT
 
Leave early,
Beat traffic.
Sit at your desk,
Grade.
 
6:00:
A few parents in the hallways;
None come to your room.
 
6:15, 6:30, 6:45.
Much grading.
 
7:00: a woman enters,
Along with a girl—
One of your students.
The mother asks
How she’s doing;
Fine, fantastic
(she has an 81);
Love having her in class
(she barely talks).
 
7:15, 7:30, 7:45—
Over the P.A.:
Parent-Teacher night will soon end;
We hope you had
A productive evening.
 
7:59: stand by the door,
8:00: lock it.
 
Driving home,
Remind yourself
To tell Melissa
That it was nice

Meeting her mother.