II.
Mrs. Tossi
The Bunsen burner blazed
A blue flame dyed orange.
Hair tied back,
Ring in back pocket,
I rolled up my sleeves.
April’s hair was blonde
And draped her shoulders.
Perfume: lemongrass.
Voice: raspy.
Ears: insulated with buds.
She chewed a naked lollipop stock.
She wore a long-sleeved button-down:
There was a test today.
A temporary tat –
Avogadro’s number –
In light green ink
Scaled April’s arm.
She removed buds from ears
And stick from mouth.
Blank lab report on desk,
She fumbled for green goggles.
Her lab partner, aproned,
Held a graduated cylinder.
The sink ran.
April never asked –
She left with her goggles on.
Class ended early;
Even teachers need to smoke.