Around Then

I'm back in my classroom, sorting through last year's work and planning for this year.  One of the notebooks had the following writing I'd done with my students in Poetry & Fiction:

Around 2008 three Frenchmen tell me to get out of the country.  I need a dictionary to figure out what they said.

Around 2003 I use a silver, putty knife to scrape fossilized gum off the bottom of every desk, chair, and table in a high school.

Around 1988 Colin tries to bite me.  I scramble up a mattress that leans against the wall.

Around 1997 Vince throws a basketball at my face.  I don't know how to respond.  He punches me in the nose, twice.

Around 2008 the top of the toilet tank is off at a Halloween party.  I pull on the tube instead of the floater to flush, and water hits the ceiling.

Around 1998 I tried to cut in half a 3" block of American cheese, just as my friend reached up while stocking the prep station's fridge.  Blood sprayed on the fryolator and grill.