Modern Day Huck-Finn

Like a shadow, his reputation forbad behavior,

Followed him through the door of my classroom.

He could easily have been the poster child,

For children with oppositional defiance disorder.

He couldn't read past kindergarten level,

And he didn't want any part of the effort.

He was a boy of twelve years,

Without the skills needed to cope.

So along with his labels of personality flaws,

He carried the label of, "not too bright".

He had been given every test there was to give,

And had been to many schools in several different states.

He was endearing, for sure,

(All 'sixy-five pounds soaking wet' of him),

Even though he refused to do most everything,

And had an argument for everything else.

With a quick wit and a keen verbal intelligence,

He passed many core tests with the highest of scores.

And he made his way, in school and into my heart,

My modern day 'Huck-Finn', a medal around his neck,

And graduation certificate in his hand.