Meeting a New Six Year Old At School
Do you want the door open or shut?
This is an administrator, asking me.
“It is up to her, “ I say, indicating the six-year-old.
She takes her time, making up her mind.
Loving the power.
Finally saying “leave it open a little bit.”
When the admin leaves, the child shuts the door.
Gives me a wide smile.
I smile back.
As we play with Play Dough she tells me her life story.
I ask if she has a grandmother, she does.
Where does she live?
You know that brown house with the red car?
I nod my head.
Because it is easier.
“If you see a man in skinny clothes going in there
And he looks like he is going to watch old people TV
That is my uncle.”
I ask what Old People TV is.
Black and white stuff.
I have been wanting to make you into Play Dough for a long time.
I remind her that we have just met.
I am going to make you into a sports girl, she says.
Here is your tummy.
I tell her I have a big one and she makes it bigger.
When I take her back to class she cannot stop hugging me.
Copyright © Caren Krutsinger | Year Posted 2023
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