I am bothered by the child in my class who hasn’t been at school for a week and a half and whom we suspect may be homeless.

I am bothered by the parent of one of my students who is “not satisfied” with her child’s Kindergarten experience.

I am bothered by the fact that my friends’ jobs hang in the balance while corporations and rich people continue to ask for tax breaks.

I am bothered by diminishing social programs that dump greater burdens in the laps of the schools.

I am bothered by elitism.

I am bothered by the people who think that the “white” school in the district does a better job of educating than my more “mixed” school.

I am bothered by the building of nuclear power plants in earthquake-prone countries.

I am bothered by my own inadequacies as a teacher, mother, life partner.

I am bothered by skin tags, age spots, wrinkles.

I am bothered by chemicals in my cosmetics, cleaning supplies, air, food, and water.

I am bothered by that which I cannot control

And that which I can.

I am really, really bothered.