Mr. P subs as Ms. B is ill
P is a retired white-haired grade school principal

B’s classroom has globes and pull-down maps
The 7th grade world has seven well-known continents

But B stresses South America
Its countries, capitals, wars, heros and languages

Today there’s a paper-pencil quiz
Students have to write in the names of every country

“I don’t understand,” whines young Jack D
His classmates giggle ‘cause Jack’s the class trouble-maker

“Here,” says P, pulling down the large map
As he pronounces and points to very large Brazil

There is almost silence in the room
As many pencils copy the word “Venezuela”


© Lewis Bosworth, 6-2017