Description
Editor’s Prize
Sandra Galton – Growing Pains
Mother says I cannot be a giraffe
because I don’t have a long neck and I don’t ruminate enough.
But I’m still growing.
Father says I should be a social worker.
I don’t even know what that is.
My Art teacher wants me to be an artist.
My Biology teacher says why not a doctor?
The RE teacher asks me to speak for a minute on any topic.
I chew silence.
My Latin teacher suggests I learn Greek.
She calls me ‘Publia nostra’.
Once she said I was quite deep.
She terrifies me.
I’m going to lock the door now while I chews.