The Dunce

He says no with his head

but he says yes with his heart

he says yes to what be loves

he says no to the teacher

he stands

he is questioned

and all the problems are posed

sudden mad laughter seizes him

and he erases all

the words and figures

names and dates

sentences and snares

and despite the teacher’s threats

to the jeers of infant prodigies

with chalk of every color

on the blackboard of misfortune

he draws the face of happiness