Itchy and Scratchy

(circa 1973)
 
I am in second grade
 
and my crotch area is itching like crazy.
 
I cannot stop itching in this area.
 
It is making me so crazy,
 
I go to the nurse for
 
some relief.
 
I am in such misery, I don’t even care
 
if nurse is going  to take a wet rag with soap
 
and wash my frank and beans.
 
She asks me if my mother
 
recently washed the curtains
 
with a recent load of wash.
 
My mother confirmed she had done so.
 
The fiberglass from the curtains gets
 
into the clothing making them itchy,
 
as though my underwear
 
were washed in poison ivy.
 
The school nurse’s knowledge was impressive.