One day I wrote,
my cousin he hurt me
and nobody nobody noes.
My teacher wrote, check language, check spelling!
Improve this careless work!

One day I wrote,
I love the smell of firesmoke in the evening,
Oh it makes my heart sing.
My teacher wrote, your heart sing? That’s a cliché, dear,
Think of another thing.

One day I wrote,
“Voetsek!” shouted my brother,
So loudly that the neighbours heard.
My teacher wrote, such language, boy,
Find another word.

Now I see a blank page and feel fear
I’ll never be a writer – my teacher’s made that clear.