(1963, for JKL)

Most days fifth grade recess at Saint Thomas More
girls were sent to the swings, the boys all knew
they’d do hoops with the nun. Kevin refused,
skipped out with the girls who never kept score.
When Sister Mary George came to the door
to shout at our dad that his son was askew,
he said his son was made by God just like you.
This was heard all over the house, before
we knew it Kevin stood beside dad in
his sister’s Sunday dress; he politely
asked if Sister could come in and kindly
help him with some of his long division

She seemed off balance as if caught by surprise,
a fearful loss that we could see in her eyes