Show and Tell

Astrid had brought in an oxhorn
on which a sailor uncle carved her name;

Glen, a singing cricket in a jar.
By and by, the class were introduced

to copper sulphate crystals in a tube,
an urchin shell that still smelt of the sea.

When at last they came to me, my heart
beat like a vulture chick in a wren's egg.

All night long, Jesus had been whispering
the sweet words in my ear, until I knew,

but now I stood, my hands cupped empty,
pearl tears on the red puff of my cheeks;

their laughter booming down the blue hall,
shaking the little coats on their pegs.