it's the first word

It's "Calzado" on a ladder,

and the Russian alphabet,

which you found confusing

as you tried to learn to read.

As you lay down to sleep,

you saw the word, "crib"

which you remember now

as the first word that meant something.

Don't stick your lip out,

be nice to the neighbor girl.

Stop acting like a brat,

just because you find her quite inane.

Get out, I tell you.

Don't speak in the car,

I told you not to speak,

so why are you asking about conditions?

Puppets sing on Sesame Street

and a cheerful, assertive

little girl talks to them,

repeating words dancing on the screen.