there was this boy
that had a good voice
and enough moves
to sell
a good Elvis impression
that our teacher loved
so much
that she’d make him do it
while other teachers stood
at the door with their smiles
that made me wonder what
I could do to get something
like that
but he wasn’t good 
at hiding absent but here
parent anger like the rest
of us lost and dirty and tired

so when Mrs. E
pushed his buttons
too 
hard
he told her to fuck off
and she didn’t stop smiling
when he walked out of class
nor did she stop when he 
passed by the window 
walking home

the bus picked him up later

I’m just glad to know
she’s gone
and he’s still here
because with people 
like us
it’s easy
to find a reason
to check out
one way
or another