LOSING

I FIGURED CASSIDY’S HATE TO LOSE B.S. WAS JUST A BUNCH OF B.S.

It’s not.

She keeps her word. Each day she comes at us harder than the day before.

Luis and I both stubbornly follow rule number 7. (Listen. Answer when called upon. Blank clueless stare on the follow-up.)

And it stops working.

Because she never stops coming back at us.

Questioning.

Confirming.

Lecturing.

Heckling.

Taunting.

It’s like we’re the only kids in the class. Every stinking question. Every new idea. Every chance she gets, it’s Luisandsam, what do you think? She’s relentless. If either of us gives a half-thought-out answer, she badgers us until we make it whole.

Every day the same thing.

She has us figured out and she knows it.

I hate her.

And I’m not about to forget whose fault this is.

Poetry Unit: THE NONET		Name      Luis
		Date   /  /

Esteemed Poets of Room 108,

More rules-driven poetry. “Ah, man!” I hear ya! Quit yer whinin’! This is fun, people. Here’s the deal: If you’re feeling a little bored with your poetry, and you need a little creative pick-me-up, try out this nine-line poem called the nonet! The nonet has nine syllables in the first line. Each line that follows has one fewer syllable, until you get to the final line, which has only one. It may or may not rhyme. That’s up to you. Go crazy, kids! Try one out right now!

Sincerely,

Ms. Cassidy

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9   Cannot think straight right now, Cassidy

8   You got my head spinning crazy

7   This is new territory

6   Could you back off a bit?

5   I just need to breathe

4   Get used to this

3   Attention

2   On me,

1   Please?