School Days

If I am not, 

may God put me there;

and if I am, may God so keep me.

         

                                   Joan of Arc

 

Always darkest before the dawn

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preparing for battle with an

elementary school principal. 

 

As an eighth grader, 

I selected Joan as my

patron saint.  Whenever I 

require courage, I turn to 

her.  Just a girl, obedient to God, 

with the courage

of men.  It's all I need.

For many, I am invisible, a tiny

disabled teapot of a women.

Most strangers seem uncomfortable 

with my appearance. Does it hurt?

Do you have back problems?

My my you walk fast with that cane.

Yeah, get out of my way.

 

I don't mind the comments. 

They are strangers, after all. 

White noise after all these years.

What I mind is being disregarded.

 

My brother, Joe, used to say that 

I would go from zero to 60 in under a 

second.  I am slower to burn these days,

but if you bring me to anger, especially 

if you mess with my children,  WATCH

out.