Roll Call

Isela
Sulema
Mario

The one that sleeps
in the back of the class
eyes so red and tired
Baby brothers and sisters to care for
Cleaning house into the night,
yet she never misses an assignment

Isis
Ivan
Pablo
Edgar
Sofia

The one that says,
I can't do this, Miss;
I'm gonna fail this test -
it doesn't matter what I write . . .
The one that knows the name
of every weapon by sight
but has trouble with adverbs . . .

Maria
Kassandra
Lizette
Juan
Jose

The one who walks in
Every day
with a big smile,
who wants a hug,
who wants to talk and laugh
for the entire hour

Abelardo
Alejandra
Pablo
Selena

The one who creates
heartbreak and drama,
Because if she can pretend,
Then perhaps the personal hell
That waits for her each day
after the school bell has rung . . .
Maybe it won't seem so large,
So real.

Isidro
Lorena
Carlos