Teacher

Most of those who tried to teach me gave up.
Failure was heaped onto
my shoulders.
I was too slow,
sometimes too fast.
Whatever they said,
I could never keep track.
I tried to ask questions,
confusion deemed wrong.
I cannot see words,
I only hear song.

Oh sanctimonious teacher
of mine,
why have you given up?
Dolphins smile grotesque as a gash,
salt water poured in my cup.

Too fast for the tortoise
Too slow for the hare
Accused of temptation
Your darkness laid bare

I’m sorry frustration
is what you’ll remember
I’m finally ready
to cut off your tethers

For years you convinced me
my mind is what’s wrong
I withered away
with no place to belong.