Caren Krutsinger | + Follow Poet |
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Every Group Has One

When put into groups I know that I never have to worry or  step up because there is always an A1. 
Arrogant One reaches for the group paper
And the one blue marker, because 
She or he knows that no one can do anything as well as she or he can.
It is supposed to be a collaborative effort,
But Arrogant One does not understand this.
I count on this, sit back and wait.  I do not have to contribute at all.
But I can try.
There are three of us at the table today.
Arrogant One has made the grab.
Shy One and I sit back and smile at each other; I feel relief.
Arrogant One is yelling out our collaborative answers as she writes them down,
Not looking up,
Not waiting for 
Any response from
Shy One or me.
We both make a suggestion.  The writing does not slow down or stop.
Arrogant One does not hear us; she is in her own Arrogant World.
I say Shy One’s Answer, and Shy One says my answer.
She looks up, pauses, changes our answers slightly, so they will be better.
I am amused that she has misspelled three, no wait, seven words.
It is thrilling to me that Arrogant One cannot spell. Shy One looks at me and we give each other a silent High five. 
When it comes time to share “our” collaborative answers, Arrogant One gets up, loudly and proudly, taking her poster to the front of the room to share with the rest of the educators.  Her heels are clicking, and she is all that, and glad of it.
There are titters of laughter.
Shy One and I give each other a loud, smacking victorious High Five as Arrogant One glares at the masses, wondering what is wrong with them.

Copyright © Caren Krutsinger | Year Posted 2018

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M. L. Kiser Date: 10/25/2018 9:30:00 PM Yep, there certainly is! I worked for one so, I couldn't high-five but, she was a good after work, joke. This was great, another "Fav". Login to Reply Caren Krutsinger Date: 10/26/2018 12:13:00 AM I watched it all unfold yesterday, silently plotting the poem that would be written during my lunch break.

Rhona Mcferran Date: 10/25/2018 12:24:00 PM Bwahahahahaha! This absolutely delighted me and made my day! You are SO right- every group has one! ;D Login to Reply Caren Krutsinger Date: 10/25/2018 4:47:00 PM Every single group; no exception. The one with the most self-confidence. She or he always steps up.

Wren Rushing Date: 10/25/2018 5:39:00 AM A silent high five, I love it. Looks like the peacock is a dodo. Login to Reply Caren Krutsinger Date: 10/25/2018 6:09:00 AM Uh-oh; you are getting close to my heart here, because this is EXACTLY right. I may have to stop telling children that I am a peacock.