DaveKemper.net

let’s get a few things straight . . .
          my name is Carl Lane
          and my dad’s president of the Lisbon Bank
          I play first trombone in the band–
          trombone, by the way, is the hardest
          brass instrument to play–
          I’m not into sports, fast bikes, or the girl thing
          I know my way around school
          so I’m your man for any errands
          I can operate all the AV equipment
          and Joe Schmidt, here, is my best friend
          he likes the same things I do
          (he’s like my assistant)
          I think we need a club for Young Republicans
          and I’m just dying to wear a suit and tie
          and make some big decisions

how easy it would have been
for you to embarrass me–
to announce to the class
that the teacher couldn’t spell,
but instead you noted my error
as the sort of thing that is bound to happen,
especially with someone new

you came up to my desk, alone:
“Really, Mr. Kemper, a spelling mistake on a wall chart.”
a playful admonition, so evenly spoken, badinage

(how could someone so young always seem
so composed and so in rhythm,
like a healthy heartbeat)

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