The following is based on a true story. This dude came into my work 3 years ago and literally did not possess the vocabulary to order his food. I don't know what his story is, but he inspired this piece.

"ill literacy"

He spoke in code
like birds perched
on branches
singing
unintelligible tunes
only they understand

I watched him
in silence
my voice boxed in
my voicebox in
shock
at the witnessing
of a mis-education

illiteracy
personified

another
foster child
of the SUSD system
just another
“unreachable” student
deemed
“just another”

<17%
of stocktonians
have college degrees
17%
such
a juvenile #
18%
leastwise
is more
adult-sounding

in front
of every high school
is a flag

red
white
blue

ring
----------
middle
----------
index

only
the “just anothers”
can read
between the lines