Where Are the Children?

A deserted playground, Where in the swings no one sits. There's not a sole around, So quiet; no noise the air gets. Where did all the children go With their bouncing balls? Does anyone even know Why no kids stand against these walls? No kids are playing hopskotch, There's no jump roping near. There's no games to be watched, Or any laughter that we hear. There's no cute little girls To climb the monkey bars today. Missing their flips, twists and twirls, Always trying to land the right way. There's no young active boys Running around the track. No creating silly little toys Or playing a game of hackeysack. Empty desks fill the classrooms With books unopened in the dark. No teachers smelling of perfumes With their pens making those red marks. The flag is missing from the pole, No alarm bells are ringing loud. So strange the school's not full With it's usual busy crowd. I wonder where they all could be On this wonderful July day. And.....oh, now I see, I finally know why. Summer is the reason Why all is so silent. Breaking for this season Until again to school we're sent. (11/18/98)