J.B.'s "Poetry"

Today in class my students were working on an essay for another subject. I was waiting in my "office" for someone to come edit with me, and a student named J.B. came up to my desk. He is one of the sweetest and cutest kids I've ever taught, and I've had a lot of sweet and cute ones. He also has a severe stuttering problem. Amazingly, when he's on the golf course (he adores all things golf), his speech is fluid and fluent, but he struggles everywhere else. Anyway, J.B. held up a paper and asked, "Mrs. Parker, w-w-w-would you l-l-l-ike to see m-m-my poetry?"

I smiled, "I'd love to!"

J.B. placed the paper in my hands and I knew immediately something was up. I read:

I can't believe the news today
Oh, I can't close my eyes
And make it go away
How long...
How long must we sing this song?
How long, how long
'Cause tonight we can be as one

Broken bottles under children's feet
Bodies strewn across the dead end street
But I won't heed the battle call
It puts my back up
Puts my back up against the wall

Sunday, bloody Sunday
Sunday, bloody Sunday
Sunday, bloody Sunday

"Um..." a smiley smirk escaped out of the corner of my mouth. "J.B., I could be mistaken, but this looks a lot like some U2 lyrics. See? Even the name of the song is listed there."

"Augh! W-w-w-why can't you let me have the spotlight for once in my life!"

J.B. stormed off in mock frustration and muttered, "She caught me!" to his friend on his way back to his seat. I didn't stop chuckling to myself for quite some time. At least he has good taste in music.