ON PROBATION

The student
who was late
was sentenced
to be on probation
but asked me
prudently in Latin
on January 8,1990
according to my literary
recorded diary
on my birthday
for preparations
to leave
with a ration card
of bread
and a cup of water
with no milk money
in her home room
telling me
she liked
to be home schooled
where there were
no bullies
beating her up
every week
Mary propped
up her silky skin
to smile
from her cheek
I sang to her
a good country song
about "The man
from Galilee"
and that no one
could chain her,
willingly refrain
or restrain her
that this was God's will
she did no wrong
and would remain free
and rewarded.