Scaffolding

by Eveline Pye

They need to trust you
describe their reasoning
in detail. Each premise
must be laid bare.

“Why did you do that?

Where did that number
come from?”

I follow each step
searching for the wrong idea,
the mistaken concept.

Sometimes, all I gift
is one new thought like….
“Dividing can make
a number bigger”,
and it’s as if I see
their minds inflate.

It’s like blowing air
into someone else’s lungs.
You have to stop
as soon as you can.

You need them
to  breathe again
- all on their own.