Working Definition

Work:

Meaning exertion or effort

To produce or accomplish something.

A definition acid etched

Onto my fifth grade self.

I'd fallen short, again;

Left things unfinished, lacking.

Up to the front,

My teacher bade me walk, alone.

"Read the definition, aloud."

I apologized to no avail.

"Read it, now," so, I began.

The snickers started slowly,

Faintly, and then grew.

Their pointing fingers,

Made blurry by my tears.

I yearned to dissolve

Into a puddle on the floor.

The words ceased to flow

Past the lump in my throat.

Finally, she let me return

To my desk,

My head hung down

In shame.