The City High Review

Poem by Natalie Holmes

When class draws to an end,

A tangible feeling flows through the students.

People reach for their bags

And books

And papers.

The initial reachers are joined

As the urgency in the movements

Encompasses the whole room.

The teacher stands,

Finishing his or her last sentence,

Knowing little time remains

To captivate the interest of the

Restless souls.

Sprawled before them,

They are already checked out and in journey mode.

Like animals, trained and timed,

The students stand as the bell rings

And follow the same route to the same class.

Organized, orderly, scheduled.

Shockingly tame with a simple system

Of bells, rooms, and hallways.