a poem written on reviewing the latest file of a student i was asked to work with to see why her behavior was out of line.

In my hand I hold the file
Of a child I have yet to meet
The enclosed papers a thinner stack than most
The name on the file tab,"Miranda"
The first page the shallowest of ways to know another
Female, thirteen, sixth grade, held back a year
The ensuing pages, however, begin to tell
A deeper story, the reason I hold this file
Bits and pieces of the history of a little girl
Documented notes sporadically written
Throughout her time and grades in school
The documents are not clear but...
I see the tell tale moment
When Miranda's soul was turned
upside down and inside out.
I carried this file as tears formed
To meet the real live little girl.