James Mclain Poet Lyric

The Florida Schools I Attended Were Meant to Break You

The Florida schools I knew—
Were fashioned to undo—
A Child—of unassuming Mind—
They tested—what was True—

They pressed my Thinking—into shape—
Too narrow for my own—
And struck me—when my Answer leapt—
Untethered—yet full-grown—

They bade me show the Steps I took—
Though Insight has no trace—
It blossoms—like a Lightning-flash—
Too swift to Keep my Pace—

And Bullies—stationed at the Doors—
Were given quiet Leave—
While Teachers—kept their knitted Peace—
As if Pain—might relieve—

I wondered—had great Einstein bent—
Beneath such daily Blows—
If Relativity—could of Bloomed—
Where Hostile Classrooms grew—

For Elementary—Middle Years—
Were Corridors of Trial—
And every Day—another Proof
That Learning—ment Exile—

So—long before the Eighth was through—
I slipped beyond their Chart—
Preferring Freedom—Hard and Vast—
To lessons—taught by Hurt—

And though their Purpose—was to break—
Some piece of Me—remained—
A quiet Sum—no Blackboard holds—
By the Suffering—I sustained.

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Paige Hind December 13, 2025 at 7:22 PM ....so glad you persevered!!