Back To School

Early September rain A dampened sidewalk, Wet leaves lead me back To blackboards and chalk The wood of the desks Cupboards along the wall, Fresh, clean and simple Newly awakens it all The lessons learned Countless memories made, A moment forgotten ... I'm back in fourth grade The sharpened pencils The crayon's shaving, Add up to the many Aromas worth saving Pink erasers, notebooks A new binder that year, The scent of paper when An open book is near The paints, the markers Linger on in my mind, And those stickers ... The scratch 'n sniff kind Spaghetti ... or lasagna Drifts down the hall, From the lunchroom Caused excitement for all The chocolate milk ... I would always pick it, Came in paper cartons And bought with a ticket Quiet, sun - filled skies Meant recess for us, Remembered radio songs Going home on the bus New shoes laced up Ready for mornings cool, And all of it brings me Right back to school.