Get Out of Bed!      by Diane Z. Shore

"Oh, Mom, don't make me go today.
I'm feeling worse than yesterday.
You don't know what I'm going through.
I've got a strange, rare case of flu

"My body aches, my throat is sore.
I'm sure I'm knocking on death's door.
You can't send me to school-achoo!-
'Cause everyone could get it, too

"Besides, the kids despise me there.
They always tease and always stare.
And all the teachers know my name.
When something's wrong, it's me they blame

"You faked a headache yesterday.
Don't pull that stuff on me today.
Stop acting like a silly fool-
The principal cannot skip school