Classroom Assimilation        by Judy DePauw
  The apple tree hangs wet with summer rain
  The skies have finished booming their disdain
  Puddles full of sparrows
  Dogs below the porch
 
              What's she mean by "syntax"?
              I can't guarantee she's gonna get it out of me
 
  A clucking hen is scratching wormy pain
  A rooster ruffling feathers looks insane
  Mother's bathing Linda
  Cool the baby off
 
              Why's she talking "texture"?
              Makes me lie awake and think of German Choc-late Cake
 
  The creek is running brown with muddy stain
  A redbird flits his tail along the lane
  Linda needs a diaper
  Ringlet hair all clean
 
              Where's the place for "rhyming"?
              Ev-ry bloomin' line is sure to take a lot of time
 
  The earth is playing summer's warm refrain
  All life is breathing slowly to sustain
  Linda's getting sleepy
  Lay the baby down
 
              When's she wanting "rhythm"?
              One, two --- two by four --- it's just like dad would frame a door
 

On top a quilt of cotton Linda lain

  With pillows cirlcing round her to retain
  Mother's reading Bible
  Rest here --- near the foot
 
              How's she figure "finish"?
              Finish with a snake . . . then I could chase it with a rake
 
  The hum of Mother's voice is oddly plain
  And sleep is something I cannot detain
  Eve is sharing apples
  Adam wants a bite . . .