Can't learn nothing and something at the same time.

Seemingly simple sentiment for a six-year-old
got wheels turning like Journey put 'em in the sky
as African-influenced consciousness
chafes at shackles of westernized dichotomal toggle switch.

Both/and feel more right than either/or
meditation proves how much can enter empty minds
but all the highfalutin' sophistry
won't help bandanna'ed first grader
get the point.

Tight rope of black-and-white absolutism
stands in contrast to shades of gray life
but satire seems serious
the impossible's just out of reach
and horizons seem much farther away for her.
There is a deeper world than this,
but it won't be tugging at her hand
tonight.

I stick to the point,
Tell her to pick a side
and script the apology I'll owe her in her twenties.

"What did you learn in class today?"
by Hannibal Tabu

Labels: blame society, children, parenting, poetry, writing