Good Marks

The big fuss Ms. Sultenhuss 

Used to make about my English 

Composition papers with red ink

And the word "unremarkable" 

Scrolled across the top while she saw something 

In the trying and effort despite 

All other marked disadvantages 

Considering the most conspicuous 

Being the suspicious recoil 

Of the class bully every time she turned 

Her face to face the class the scamp Marc 

Immediately to my left having left 

A swollen "frog" tattoo mark on my left 

Arm in the same swift of time that it takes 

A Golden Toad to throw out its tongue and 

Slurp a juicy, tasty June bug during 

The evening hours of May - remarkably -

Who himself despite every cruel bone 

And vile intention was not capable 

Of writing a plain paragraph his 

Paper already written long ago 

At least for the hour or two of his 

Newborn life passed around and adored 

Pampered and pressed cuddled and kissed his 

Maker proudly watching from the wings 

Before it started going downhill from there 

Back then I think all three of us were in 

Need of the good marks that flowed from the 

Nail and sword marks of the Savior.

- Gary Edward Geraci