the absent child

The absent child
went to school 
to figure out
what people want
of it. It found:
to wait a bit,
until it knew
was right and fit!

Instead of plunging
in on guess, to make 
misfit and frowny mess. 

"I'm good at figure out!"
it chimed. I'll do that first.
I'll use my eyes and mind!
Shut mouth 'til head's all full,
and all makes sense, instead

of frowns.

The absent child knew
it was smart. It had been told
by every one around
who really knew
the child at all.

So just the kids
and mom (I don't think
dad said so). These people
know the child, and better
best: the child knew just what
those people, each of them, 
would want! Of it, in any 
given take - and how to fit 
like easy-breezy confidence,
and effortlessness
incarnate.

And so the absent child appeared

and went to school, and no one
knew.
At home
it was the present
child, all here and there in say and
do because

it knew. What every one 
would want of it, in any fix. 

"If only I could be at home
in school!" the child looked, 
and thought, and missed. "But
then, it's only thought and time,
and play and work, and eye and
mind, and I am good for this. 
I have the patience and the nerve
to wander all alone, observe and
reckon first! Before I give! Since 
then, I'll know what people want
from me.
And I can give
them that! Lickety-split,
diggety-dog and hissedy-cat."   

The only way. To figure out it all
up-front, then play. The absent child 

grew up all dumb! But at some point
it learned to say, first, before finding 
out what some one wants of you.

What you give first on dare and guess
- that tends to teach them who you are 
in what you give up-front and best. And 
that becomes

just what they might expect.