He says no with his head

but he says yes with his heart

he says yes to what he loves

he says no to the teacher

he stands

he is questioned

and all the problems are posed

sudden laughter seizes him

and he erases all

the words and figures

names and dates

sentences and snares

and despite the teacher's threats

to the jeers of infant prodigie

swith chalk of every colour

on the blackboard of misfortune

he draws the face of happiness.