My heart rate increases when I return to the scene in my mind.
I never imagined you, respected colleague, tenured nonetheless
Could bestow the level of vitriol I witnessed upon the head of a child.
Sixteen years is still a child, and you should know better.

I listened to it happening just outside my office door.
The child’s distress becoming heightened and more evident
Voice trembling, responses cut off again by your brash accusations
Until the tears began to flow and the sobs came uncontrolled.

At first I didn’t understand what was happening, I didn’t react.
When it clicked, I was out of my seat and walling her off from you
And your brow-beating, name calling, shaming, accusations 
Becoming louder, your frame towering over her cowering body.

I    LOST    MY    SHIT

Gulping deep breaths so that I didn’t shove you into the nearby desk
My response was mama bear protecting young…ALL young is MY young.
That’s the job…protect these precious beings and usher into adulthood.
I didn’t think I would have to protect them from one of my own.

When I finally backed you off and moved you away from your prey
I was left with the heap of eviscerated child in the corner unable to speak.
I scooped her up, made the call and delivered her safely into parents’ arms.
What to do next…how do I stop you, monster from striking again?

Immediate report to Admin, this is what I observed, what do I do with it?
It’s the right thing to do, right? I must protect and report, protect and report
Be fearless, be brave, be an advocate, be love, be righteousness, be strong!
Right will prevail and all will be well, that’s the way it works, right?

Except, that’s not the way it works
Tenured teachers, it seems, are untouchable
“Clearly you misinterpreted what you saw. Ms. Tenure would never…”
“Let’s schedule a facilitated meeting to clarify what you thought happened?”

And so it becomes painfully, crystalline
The voice of a peon won’t be heard over the thundering of tenure.
Deflated, battle worn I was left to assimilate this sickening realty.
Would I react the same way again?  YOU’RE DAMN RIGHT I WOULD!