14 and kneeling for a jv defensive line coach

your pre-algebra teacher, middle aged

who’s flanked with teenage letter jacket sweat

of three, your age — the compulsion, green page

before your knees, khaki berber.  you let

it drop, midterm report its red-inked D

provokes this plea — some extra credit?  can’t

bring home below a c because he beats

you now, your father.  this desperate rant

compressed, confessed secrets minutes between

this class, the next, distressed.  he says “beg me.”

they slip from lips, the words but he says “knees,”

and you’ll appease while three smile, snicker — see

how quick you move despite the way you feel.

they learn you are a girl they can make kneel.

Kristin Garth is a poet from Pensacola and a sonnet stalker.  Her sonnets have stalked magazines like Five: 2: One, Glass, Anti-Heroin Chic, Occulum, Drunk Monkeys, Luna Luna, TERSE. Journal and many more.  Her chapbook Pink Plastic House is available from Maverick Duck Press, and she has two forthcoming: Pensacola Girls (Bone & Ink Press, Sept 2018) and Shakespeare for Sociopaths (The Hedgehog Poetry Press Jan 2019).  Follow her on Twitter:  @lolaandjolie