By The Book Poem by Bridgid Patrick

Junior bit the meter man.
Junior kicked the cook
Junior's antisocial now
(According to the book)

Junior smashed the clock and lamp.
Junior hacked the tree.
(Destructive trends are treated
in chapters two and three)

Junior threw his milk at mom.
Junior screamed for more.
(Notes on self-assertiveness
are found in chapter 4.)

Junior tossed his shoes and socks
out into the rain.
(Negation, that, and normal-
disregard the stain.)

Junior got in Grandpop's room
Tore up his fishing line.
That's to gain attention
(See page 89.)

Grandpop seized a slipper and
Yanked Junior 'cross his knee
(Grandpa hasn't read a book
since 1943.)