First Tests

the pull of your lip on
new zigzag teeth and
glint of the almost-tear in
your eye

i see it of course--
the nervousness
the worry--
others don't but
they aren't tuned

you tilt your head left
meet the test
look it in the eye
(i would have shied away)

passing
failing
of course it matters
not as much thought as
staying not bolting