I cannot tie my shoes,
which Mrs. Shaw tells all
the mommies that we
kindergarteners in her class
must be able to do.

But I can read “The Cat in the Hat”
all the way through
all by myself,

and I can write my
whole name:
Janis Linn Haag,

and I can make my little sister
(who can tie her shoes)
laugh and laugh.

And it turns out that Mrs. Shaw
is not upset about the shoes,
praises my wobbly handwriting,

and says on my report card,
“Janis is a very smart girl—
she will go far,”

which makes my mommy
and daddy happy, and
sets me on my way,

bouncing on my toes,
eager to see what
comes next when

I get to be 6.