hard and caring

in the moment.

when

she set

the test upon my desk,

making eye contact,

i didn't like

her. i didn't like

her glasses

on her nose,

the curl

of her hair,

the plain jane dress

of a school

marm

not hiding her stout

figure.

i didn't appreciate

the way she shook

her head

in disgust or dismay

at a wrong

answer.

i didn't like the C

she gave me,

and the little note

that read,

try harder,

read and study,

you aren't that dumb.

you're smart.

come on.

you can do better.

i didn't like her then,

but in the rear

view mirror

i love her for being

hard

and caring.