Can you see the boy in the corner?

Away in the corner

Pulled into a ball

A tight knot of pain

With his head on the wall

(A tear demands to be seen)

The language of learning

Is passing him by

In shame at his pain

He's refusing to cry

(It squeezes through tight shut eyes)

Jumbled impressions

Of numbers and sounds

Questions and theories

And words turning round

{Falling softly to the floor}

Unnoticed he suffers

A personal hell

Begging salvation

From a mid-morning bell

(To reflect November skies)

Bells ringing!

Hearts singing!

Stampede at the door.

And the teacher sits and puzzles

Over splash marks

On the floor.