men in lab coats
ponder the differences
between three blind mice
immunodeficient
infected
dying
grad students
in muck boots
search for specimens
among the reeds and mud –
alive
university room 214
explodes –
miscalculated chemistry smells;
evacuation, reprimands,
no injuries
dissect a cow’s eyeball
as two students gag –
it looks alive,
one says too enthusiastically
before retrieving the mop
a bowling ball falls
from the roof
alongside a tennis ball
to prove
gravity does not discriminate –
students rejoice to find
one does not bounce
kindergartners
walk around the block
to marvel at spring’s
blossoming bounty,
squirrels, a broken branch,
and mud