Flowers Without Outlines

Flowers Without Outlines

One purpose of education,
Especially in grade school,
Is to assimilate
And conform to norms.
Modelling,
i.e. showing the desired answers
Is reinforced by good or bad grades
Praise or punishment.

Praise is a sort of gentle whip.
I recall Mrs. Lockjaw’s reaction
To my Crayola drawing.

“My what pretty flowers you have drawn.
Now, you should outline the petals
Make them look more like
The rest of the class.

You do want to go to recess
Not the principal’s office,
Don’t you”?

I was led across the hall
To the principal’s office.

Today, 68 years later
I will go for a walk.

Hopefully, there will still be flowers
Without outlines.



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