The Dunce

He says no with his head
but he says yes with his heart
he says yes to that which he loves
he says no to the professor
he stands
they quiz him
and all the problems are puzzles
suddenly he is overcome with mad laughter
and he erases everything
the numbers and the words
the dates and the names
the sentences and the snares
and despite the threats of the teacher
under the jeers of the child prodigies
with chalk of every color
on the blackboard of misery
he draws a face of happiness