In the morning,
Mrs. McArdle explained how to
walk peacefully through the forest,
how to find a welcoming spot
in the crowded lunchroom,
how to turn off your internal critic
when writing.

At recess,
Mrs. McArdle revealed
how to never feel lonely
when spending time alone.

After lunch,
Mrs. McArdle gave us
a worksheet on how to
gather friends
when you are the new kid.

In the afternoon,
Mrs. McArdle led a discussion
on how to access
your favorite life moments
just by closing your eyes.

The English lesson covered
how to draft a life plan
in three easy steps,
with no missteps.

The math lesson
was the best of all —
how to make your
messy life
add up
to a satisfying journey.


*modeled on Brad Aaron Modlin’s brilliant, “What You Missed That Day You Were Absent From Fourth Grade“.