Return to School
In Schoolyard Clothes
In honor of all the children returning early to school
Their clicking pens are newly held The first idea of permanence From penciled lines erased with just the brush of red tipped rubber end
Sunk deep into ancestral brains Which sounds too old for these young minds Pulled back to desks and chairs and work Too soon, too soon, to take it in
Just yesterday was endless play No schedule to say when to stop They whoop, and holler which echos back Eat hasty meals on varied time
The “Ollly Olly Oxenfree” What calls them home to quickly eat And then return to play again Anew amidst forgotten place
Within each one lies Peter’s spark Which dances on large adult wings The rights so sure they’re ready for Though baby fat says think again
Thoughts lost amidst a window gaze| The summer still moves on but now In schoolyard clothes they sit and mourn Then sigh at such a travesty
Natalie Frank (Taye Carrol) has had work featured in Haunted Waters Press, Weirdbook Magazine, Siren’s Call Publications, Lycan Valley Press and Zero Fiction among others. Her poetry has been featured in several anthologies. She is Editor for 1-One-Infinity, The Partnered Pen and One Table, One World and is Editor in Chief for Promposity and Mental Gecko. She is also the Managing Editor for Novellas and Serials at LVP Publications.
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