Don't Be Late

One day it was brought to my attention

That a student was often late,

And so I told that student

That a change needed to be made.

The very next day

She was late.

She stayed at lunch

Because of her mistake.

I warned her not to do it again

Or else her time would double.

She seemed to do just fine;

Until Tuesday there was no trouble.

But on Wednesday she was late,

So after school she had to stay.

I put her in the detention room

So for her mistake she could pay.

I went off to do my stuff

And soon forgot that she was there.

I drove off before I could let her out

And left that girl without a care.

Later her mom came in a flurry

And hurried her out the door,

And then that once kind girl

Was friends with me no more.

Instead of teaching her to not be late,

I really only taught her

That to be forgotten would be her end;

She seemed to think she had no other.

Now that girl is a rebel

And is full of fear and hate,

And I know that she is afraid

Simply because I was late.