Eyes on the back of my head!

When I was in preschool,

My teachers, they’d tape

Eyes to the back of our heads

As a reward for sleeping.

 

Creeping around they would

Tape green, blue, brown, purple…

Eyes to our hair, and I wanted them.

But I had miles to go before I’d sleep.

 

Me, I’d jump around on the makeshift cots,

Grabbing another girl’s hand,

Pulling her into my four-year-old freedom.

Tip, tap, tip, tap. THE TEACHER’S COMING BACK.

To our beds, to pretend we’re sleeping.

 

Quiet, breathe, in, out,

She steps

About

The room.

 

Blinking, blinking,

Eyes, they close,

The blanket, warm

Upon my nose.

I had miles to go before I’d sleep,

But now,

I think,

I might.

 

I awake,

Eyes blinking,

A mile wide.

My hands jerk

Back

To the back

Of my head.

 

I feel!

Paper!

Tape!

Just above

The nape of my neck!

 

I had miles to go before I’d sleep,

And now–

Mine to keep–

I have earned!

Eyes!

On the back of my head!

Advertisement