Poetry

6:00 a.m.  

The alarm blares and the groans start.  

Children wander down the halls in a daze.  

Tight hugs from sleepy arms  

and “good mornings” from little voices  

are passed around as the sun pours  

through uncovered windows.  

7:05 a.m. 

The energy shifts as we hear in the distance,  

beep, beep.  

“The bus is coming; hurry up!”  

Feet scampering, backpacks flying,  

pencils scattering, homework hiding.  

“Stop bouncing balls inside!”  

“She’s teasing me!” “He looked at me!”  

“Where’s my homework?”  

A flash of yellow. “Hurry up!”  

Anxious racing; we can’t be late.  

“Goodbye! Have a good day at school!”  

Backpacks bigger than their bodies  

swishing as they climb the steps.  

Doors close. Beep, beep. 

Yellow disappearing ‘round the corner  

full of little heavenly blessings.   

Hours ticking.  

Quiet home.  

Empty halls.   

Anxious waiting.  

3:50 p.m. 

Waiting at the window, 

hopping from foot to foot.  

Where are they?  

Yellow turning on my street,  

engine rumbling, beep, beep.  

Door opens, children running, 

blessings pouring from a bus. 

“We’re home!” “You’re home!”  

Hugging, laughing, teasing, fighting,  

as balls bounce up and down the halls.  

Joking, loving, laughing, playing.  

Noisy house, happy home.