MRS. NELSON

She’d show me a word, and then she’d conceal it
She’d ask me to spell it — and then she’d reveal it
She’d cover the word with a paper, and then
She’d ask me to spell the same word once again
Out loud I would say it, on paper I’d write it
With chalk on the board she’d have me highlight it
She knew I could do it — she knew that I could —
When Mrs. Nelson teaches, she teaches for good

She’d get my assignment from the classroom each day
Like geography — then we were off on our way
“What ocean doesn’t touch Iceland?” she’d ask
And finding the answer would then be my task
She’s funny, she’s firm, she’s happy, she’s cool
And I am so blessed she’s my teacher at school.

June 1999