I am not that boy
There is a boy
Who looks like me
And takes my place at school.
The teachers say
He works so hard
At breaking every rule.
His tie is off
His shirt is out
His socks are not correct.
The teachers say
To dress that way
Just shows his disrespect.
His homework book
When it appears
Might as well be in Chinese.
The teachers say
He writes like that
In order to displease.
When at my desk
He looks about
From bird to cloud to tree.
The teachers say
His laziness
Is quite extraordinary.
It makes me sick
To go to class
Each day and feel afraid
Because the boy
Who looks like me
Will put me in the shade.
He’ll mess my desk
Forget my lunch
And chatter to annoy.
I wish the teachers
Understood
That I am not that boy.
I am the boy
Who wakes up tired
And struggles through the day
Who wants to learn
But gets so bored
He cannot wait to play
I am the boy
Who loves big words
But doesn’t like to write.
I’m scared to try
In case I fail
It keeps me up at night.
I’m not that lazy
Careless chap.
He’s kind of a decoy.
I look like him
He sounds like me
But I am not that boy!
2014
Photo description: A boy aged about 7 wearing a pirate costume and a fierce expression.
