It was approaching Spring, another boring uneventful day
I was out on the playground during lunch and wanting to stay
I thought I heard the bell ring as we ran to get into line
It was the same routine we had done time after time
Mrs. Clanton was on duty, in the shade as was her usual place
I had no idea I would be receiving a slap in the face.
Mrs. Clanton was reading her newspaper by the door
She said, “ The bell hasn’t rung, get out there and hang out some more
You kids have more time to talk- you’ll have to come in and be quiet soon”
I said, “Mrs. Clanton, the hands on my watch say it’s noon”
Then Mrs. Clanton took her paper and rolled it up in a great haste
And slapped me really hard against the side of my face
I was shocked and embarrassed, and kept the tears at bay
Mrs. Clanton looked at our group and began to say
That there would be no talking back where she was concerned
And that she hoped that a lesson was truly learned
And I wanted to run really fast to get out of that place
The day Mrs. Clanton used the newspaper to slap me in the face.
When I got back in class, I quickly took my seat
But I could still feel the red in my cheeks with all of that heat
I wondered what my mother would say when I got home
I begged her not to call the principal on the phone
I told her I would tell him myself at my own pace
That my seventh grade reading teacher slapped me in the face
Fifty five years have come and gone since I felt that hit
Mrs. Clanton never said she was sorry-not one little bit
I never really liked her much anyway
And can’t imagine what would happen to her today
And me, I try to laugh about my disgrace
The day Mrs. Clanton hauled off and slapped me in the face.
