Burning School
People lined the block to watch
fire take the structure at night.
Firemen poured water onto flames
but only to contain.
I stood with my parents and watched.
My mind’s eye saw books burning
the ways of life disappearing—
no longer would a boy stare during arithmetic
and stare at the braids of the girl
who sat ahead of him each day.
No longer would the bell ring
to start the day No longer
would it ring for recess.
The next day burnt debris
would clutter a patch of asphalt
the playground behind the building.
We could only watch as the water
poured onto the fire turned to steam
and disappeared into dark skies.
nothing said could bring the building back to life
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