Saturday, December 23, 2023

Twas the Week Before Break


 Twas the Week Before Break

Twas the week before break, and all through the halls

Students were excited and restless, bouncing off walls.

Bulletin board displays that had once been hung with care,

Were now all shredded and ripped practically bare;

As children ignored their teachers and leaned on the work,

Or perhaps moved slowly away with a quick shrug and a smirk.

 

We teachers had planned for absences, interruptions, and infusions of sugar,

But, alas, each classroom was rapidly becoming its own pressure cooker.

When over the intercom a loud, crackling announcement began,

Making me wonder what new intrusion would derail my lesson plan.

 

We were all dealt a huge blow, the result of continued snow fall,

“Recess will be held inside your classrooms,” came the ominous call.

But just when I thought my bladder would burst,

Supervision came from the school’s nurse.

 

Now Jasper! Now Casper, now Billy and Willy!

C’mon Tina and Gina, c’mon Sally and Susie!

Get off the bookshelf, get down from the table,

This is still a classroom, not a barnyard stable.

 

When at last the bell finally rang,

To our feet we all eagerly sprang.

Though we all knew tomorrow would bring more of the same,

But at the end of the week, we knew we'd exclaim:

"I’ll see you next year!" as we grinned from ear to ear.

Wednesday, July 19, 2023

Metal Leaves


 "My brain is made of metal leaves!"

came the lament as the meltdown commenced.

Strong emotions are nearly in control -

in mere moments reason will not exist.

                            Yet,

        I pause to admire the metaphor:

                What a wise way to say,

                            "I can't think today."

        My child is brilliant!

                A future poet or literary genius!

But for now rocking, shushing, and hugging

are the only language that will be understood.