Smoldering Recess

A Poem by Michelle Gent

Recess at school

Smoldering Recess-

The bell to recess rings
Children push through the open doors
Running, screaming as if fleeing
Sneakers burn rubber
as they make their escape

Leaving school far behind
Little minds numb, tired from learning
Batteries in need of a charge

Monkey bars are a generator
Giving a boost to their droopy moods
Allowing them to leave their frowns hanging
Upside down and run on to the next activity

Ones with a little more bounce
Hopscotch, jump rope, basketball
Raising their spirits, depleting the doldrums
of the school day

Others have deployed toys from lockers
back packs and pockets
Comforts from home
Giving peace of mind on school lawn

Discontentment comes in the way of boys
Tugging at girls hair
Pulling their arms and pushing them down
Trying to warrant some type of response

Inept attempts at flirting
With the opposite sex
Girls curse heated words of disgust

Boys bulls on the defensive
No longer on the attack
Kick and stomp at grass and dirt
As if the zoysia were at fault

Bruised pride and eyes diverted
Boys dart back,"Girls stink!"

The bell ending recess rings
Girls retreat
Boys shuffle back defeated
Into the confines of the building

Fires extinguished
A rewind button reels them in
They're a little more prepared
to do some more learning