the biggest turn around

where’s your book?
get back in your seat
if you keep talking
over me
well
something’s
going to happen

and it almost did
i almost cried
at the end of
a six-on day
i dragged my sorry carcass
down the hall
oblivious
to the lockers being slammed
students pushing
bells mixing
with swear words
macho-mania

slumped
like a dead dog
in the chair
staring
like glazed cherries
at the mess
on my desk
end of day one

day two
good sleep
nerves settled
confidence
in the key
turning the right way
not caring
what the boys are thinking

sitting
for minutes on end
at the front
letting the chatter
rise and fall
not responding
just getting my shit together

attack the board
fill it with notes and questions
turn now and then
to heap praise
on the ones getting stuck in
without being asked
and i can see now
it’s turning
an intangible shift
even the louts
at the back
are writing
and not a word
raised in anger

and now i prowl
picking off
the odd lazy bum
everyone else is working
yes the classroom
is mine again
end of day two
see you later sir