Called me a stupid idiot
in kindergarten
I remember her name
I remember my shame and how I hid it
in the corner of a child's playhouse
where I bolstered myself with the Cheerios
mommy had slipped into my coat pocket that morning
before the school bus drove off

I ate those Cheerios one by one
Circle after circle
With wet tears of my stupid idiot self
sinking down my face

Harriet was an evil devil-child
with no common sense
All she knew was to provoke shame on her peers
Poor peers

I could say I hope she chokes to death
one day on Cheerios
But because I am a nurse now I would probably
administer the Heimlich if I ever encountered
Harriet in a Cheerio-choking situation

Good person that I am