One leg up. It’ll numb.

The student defies Miss Applebaum

because her name is Applebaum.

It sounds funny and she leans 

when she stands, like a drinking bird,

except no hats inside.

She docked Mooney for the snapback

and now he slouches over the bubble sheet

making a Seurat of the Math section.

It’s only a practice test.

He and the student with the leg on the chair

feel affronted and fiery. 

They’ll get her like she got them.

They’ll hum while she talks and yawn like lions

and flash their phones just to ruffle her feathers.

The teacher plays her part. It’s Thursday

and the sun has come out. She has laundry to do

before it gets dark, and vodka in the freezer.

The students can test her until three,

then the shortage of quarters,

the shortage of vodka, and the end

of restraint will catch up. 

---

She rubs her eyes in the shower and recalls 

the twenty-odd stares coming blankly or burningly for her

and smiles. She would rather be there, being tested,

than home. There, at least,

it’s only a practice test.