Swizzle Stick

In the Corner

I was put in kindergarten
corner, nose to the wall,
told to think about what I had done.
What had I done? A disgrace
I knew nothing about. So,
baffled & angry, I stared
at the rounded fold, where two
walls met to make a corner.
I stood hard-set, wide-eyed,
for I would not cry.
My breath was big & slow,
it was under my control,
& absolutely in the corner.

The corner was off-white
& grubby, not one particular
colour, but streaky, in tiny
speckles of beige, & grey.
I sent my anger, hot bright rays
from my eyes to melt
& dissolve in the corner.

The corner was a private place,
but I would not cry in the corner.