The Day Monica Fulton Ran Away

The reason I was there I cannot recall
But I was sitting outside of our classroom, alone in the hall
When Principal Johnson walked into our class
I stood up to watch him through the square in the door with the glass

He whispered something to the teacher who put down her chalk
Then up to Monica Fulton he slowly started to walk
She gathered her things with a sad look in her eyes
Butterflies started churning in my stomach as I could empathize

Everybody knew about Monica’s troubles at home
She lived with an abusive father in a house all alone
But rules were different back in those days
There were no social workers around to take her away

I watched them walk down the hallway, footsteps echoing on wood
Up to his office door where Monica’s father now stood
He handed her over, then stepped on inside
Monica simply starred at her father with blue eyes opened so wide

He grabbed her collar and started yanking her toward the front door
She tried pulling away yelling, “I won’t go with you no more”
Then suddenly the fire alarm started a loud shrilling ring
“Everybody, single file outside”, the teachers started to sing

Mr. Fulton lost his grip in all of the chaos and confusion
Breaking the glass with my fist, left on my hand a contusion
That was the day Monica Fulton finally got to run away
No one has heard from her since, not even today

I happily spent my three months in the juvenile detention hall
The sentence I received for initiating a false fire alarm call
When Monica ran past me to the opposite end door
She yelled, “Thank you, Joe – I’ll remember this forever and more”
Copyright © | Year Posted 2012

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

A   Avatar
May 21, 2012 at 4:13 PM
Joe, I'm liking the rhyming game Joyce cooked up herself! Congratulations with your awesome poem, take care :-) * PD
Collins Avatar
May 19, 2012 at 12:26 PM
Joe - Do you draw this poetry from experience? Whenever I read these inspirational verses you write so well, I sit with a tear -- humanity at its best. I remember the one where the child wet his/her pants and another child spilled something to cover it up and take the heat. love, Kathy
Taylor Avatar
May 19, 2012 at 8:49 AM
Congrats on your win, Joe. Outstanding. Great job. Nice going, my friend. Ralph
Brown Avatar
May 19, 2012 at 6:38 AM
Congratulations on your win in Joyce's "Rhyming Game" contest Joe. Love, Carol
O'Leary Avatar
May 19, 2012 at 3:12 AM
Interesting tale ... and congrats... Terry
Williams Avatar
May 19, 2012 at 2:06 AM
Joe congrats on your win..David
Gorelick Avatar
May 15, 2012 at 7:19 PM
wow, is this true? You are my hero...BG
Tams The Golden Girl Avatar
May 15, 2012 at 10:12 AM
What a story Joe it sound true... a fantastic write xx
Bauer Avatar
May 15, 2012 at 9:04 AM
great story, very well-told! nice one!
Bauer Avatar
May 15, 2012 at 9:03 AM
great story, very well-told! nice one!
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace