i told them that phenolphthalein was good

when i was four, mom would ask

me to read the big words 

off the backs 

of tissue boxes 

they said i read good

i told them 

that phenolphthalein was good 

and that i read

well.

on car trips 

they made me spell 

words 

they picked off signs 

alongside the road

i peeked 

but i never could spell

camoflauge

i guess i never noticed 

it

the spelling bee 

rid of those unacceptables

unaware of the silent e's

i knew about silent e's 

like well-trained,

aryan perfection