Notes About The Poem

kenopsia

the eerie, forlorn atmosphere of a place that’s usually bustling with people but is now abandoned and quiet

The Kenopsia of School Halls

Every day we are ushered as the school bells peal
To inaugurate the start of the next school day’s zeal
Everyday we pledge allegiance to our flag
And to our nation, and to our God we appeal

There is teaching and learning going on 
As the custodian passes by each class
Removing black marks from the hallway floors
Cleaning finger smudges from the glass

He knows the goings-on and those coming and those going
He knows what to do in the heat and after every snowing
He is the surveyllerist and purveyor of them
He’s behind the scenes to keep the school year rolling

As soon as the school year starts, there is a period at the end of the sentence
And the adventure of summer cleaning commences
And the kenopsia of a school vacated
Eerily all cries and sighs and laughter as echoes have faded
Copyright © | Year Posted 2026

Poem

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