the first grade report card

i found in my mother's

attic box

after she died, my first grade

report card.

i read down

the yellowed paper with

the checks beside 

each task i performed.

he colors well,

staying between the lines,

behaves himself.

he knows his alphabet,

he can count 

up to 99,

he's polite and kind,

though shy at times.

he's a good runner,

does well

on the monkey bars,

the swing

and slide.

he is proficient at spelling

for his age.

he eats with his mouth

closed.

is properly dressed,

his hair is always combed.

but i've noticed,

wrote the teacher,

Mrs. Barone,

that he won't leave

the girls alone.

especially the ones with

pigtails.