We watched To Sir, With Love tonight
and you kept pausing
to ask why
not about the bullies
or the dancing
or why they couldn’t go
on field trips
you just wanted to know
why the black teacher
couldn’t kiss the white one
and I know it’s right to tell you
about history
and all its stains
but just for a moment
I wanted to be baffled like you
with your love-soaked heart
your questions bouncing innocently
against the outside of a story
that you will soon understand
and then never again unknow.