1987

Won’t play laser tag
Won’t ride the roller coasters
We’re apple and tree

1,952

He likes karate
But not wearing the gear or
Hitting with full force

1,919

It is hard for him
But he makes it much harder
Than it has to be

1,906

He will misbehave
Then will negotiate the
Punishment suffered

1,898

Listen to them talk
Like you, they have hopes and dreams
Express them with joy

1,864

Keep trying to win
No matter how steep the odds
Never change the game

1,857

Always finds a way
To get the most attention
Nothing else matters

1,856

A cousins Christmas
Renewing proto-friendships
And proto-conflicts

1,832

Struggles to succeed
But is fighting the wrong fight
Within not without

1,818

Like to add numbers
Like to play in PowerPoint
Skills for a lifetime

1,802

Fighting with himself
Torn between who he is and
Who he wants to be

1,801

She turned nine years old
The center of attention
Gifts, cake and ice cream

1,799

He did it himself
Started without being told
And asked good questions

1,759

Bitterness and bile
Hot tears and a runny nose
Hours and hours wasted

1,747

She wants to excel
But won’t work hard or listen
Next comes bitterness

1,680

He will not practice
Says he’ll do it tomorrow
Afraid of failure

1,678

Already avoids
And deflects when things get hard
Seeks a life of ease

1,671

This belongs to me
You can look at it, but if
You touch it you’re dead

1,664

He gave it a try
He took my advice and it
Improved his outcomes

1,661

Matriculation
A word you have to define
Before you do it