the class played this family feud-like vocabulary

game, two teams
35 words,
instead of an announced quiz,

and the score was close
between the two teams,
words like functional and engaged
procrastination and inquisitive
regretful and alien,
words like inconspicuous and rage,
until this sound, it erupted,
student t's fist through the back of the tv,
did i hear that? yes i heard that;
the crimson blood on his finger's thin black skin
was hard to see.
we were both calm.

the back of the tv had a hole in it.
he apologized.
the class just kept doing their thing.


t and i talked later.  he says it's cuz there ain't no black kids in our class.
but he likes me.
he said.
he said he likes the old white teacher jew.
we shook hands.
then he walked to his next class
down the hallway

alone.
like the one boat down the river
toward the sun,
the crimson blood.