To Delia, Who Failed on Principles

Because of four lousy points
Delia, a senior, repeating
A sophomore course
Failed.

Short of hair, cow-eyed, humble-proud
From cooking class brought me cookies
From Oregon, an apple. But I stuck to
My principles.

In arbitrary tests the high score
Of momentarily memorized words and facts
I passed, but you
Didn't graduate.

I stuck to my principles
And for a week couldn't sleep
The following year
I passed all repeaters who tried
On principle.