Shanelle Galloway

Graded

Miss Porters Grade 3 Math Test no. 2
Question no. 1:
Pedro and Keisha and Kim
are at the store buying apples.
Together, they have seven;
Keisha has two,
and Pedro has three
more than Kim.
How many apples does Pedro have?

I draw apples, Pedro, Keisha and Kim
apples on a tree
a tree in a yard
and children dancing
behind a white picket fence;
the sun in the sky,
and flowers growing
from equation no. 8
7+__=9
Nine makes a lovely daisy,
seven, a beautiful tulip,
and that blank spot
is a perfect sunflower bed.

Miss Porter calls out for recess,
All those who are done may go.
Panic
as seven other children rise,
leaving nine.
They will get to the playground first.
Quick!
How many apples does Pedro have?

Where are they buying these apples?
Pedro and Keisha and Kim.
The vendor on a street corner?
or maybe an old hag hunched under
a burlap hood
with a wart on her nose and magical
purple eyes.



Those apples will make them fly
or die;
or grow beanstalks
in their bellies

A tender touch on my shoulder
and I am jolted back
to classroom number 147,
empty except for me and Miss Porter.
Hows it going?
My eyes like a death-calling deer.
Thats a wonderful picture
a smile strained on her lips
and she squats, eye-level
understanding twinkling her irises.

A wonderful picture
but I think a few numbers
would have sufficed
give it a second go.

Arms crossed tight
a sour grimace pursed on my lips,
a perfect blank test replaced before me.
Seven apples
Pedro, Keisha and Kim
How many apples does Pedro have?