Afraid in the dark when three years old, at a closed hardware store-- dropped through the window and opened the door..... neighbors talk about the theft-- what kind of BAD person would go in when it's closed---...... not a good one--- sorry you don't make the grade.

Restrained as a child, over and over by someone stronger, asking for help through stomach cramps and nightmares-- but-- everyone's busy with bigger problems-- sorry you don't make the grade.

Off to a place called a library--at 7 she's never been. Riding with a neighbor and her daughters-- they show her the shelves and shelves of books-- can it be so? they tell her one can just take some home!! Wow!-- but wait... then she finds-- there is a special status one must have-- a library card gotten from your parent-- as she watches the girls take a stack home, she goes empty handed-- sorry-- you don't make the grade...

A gun to her back he invaded her "paradise"-- an empty weed filled lot-- asked her if she wondered what it would feel like to die-- four hours later, shaking and limp - go home to be told "come on get a grip, it's only a teenage boy not a man-- what a wimp you are"--- sorry you don't make the grade.

Sisters and brothers all busy and driving-- going to jail and unexpected arrivals-- her issues are way too small to bother-- sorry you don't make the grade.

Mother so threatened by daughters' skills-- she prohibits them from learning the things a young girl would like-- yet, neighbor girls come to be shown how to cook and sew and mother is awarded with cheers and kudos--- she is her child so-- sorry you don't make the grade.

One brother in-law practices his police holds from academy on her, much smaller. The favored sister needs a sitter-- at 15 she's driven to be alone with "him" for a short time-- Finally realizing-- it doesn't matter what happens-- because-- sorry know one cares- you don't make the grade.

A boy she meets at 16, simply must make the grade somehow.... he likes her she thinks..... just please him and maybe you'll "make the grade" and finally belong......but then.... told SHE'S ruined his life as she, with the heaviest heart she's known-- stops what's growing inside her... because-- sorry you don't make the grade.

Many many more times she won't make the grade-- she won't equal the value of others-- she'll be excluded....... exclusions are like huge weights on her legs as she hangs on with tired shaking arms-- trying to make the grade--- but she's failed again....... yet one more time, she somehow just wasn't of proper status...... she feels.... that familiar running sensation but-- not soon enough as it's been shown she doesn't make the grade--- hurts so very much.......
bye ....