Caren Krutsinger | + Follow Poet |
Narrative | + Fav Poem | Comment | Email | Print |

Virtual Lunch With First Graders

Seven first graders with their mute buttons on.
Not knowing what to do when I ask them to unmute themselves.
This is a friendly lunch bunch where they are allowed to talk.
Not like the rest of their day when they are on mute unless called on.

One begins and suddenly they all begin. Talking at once, like kids do.
How can I not kill aliens with my enchanted bow? 
I can build a diamond house.
My enemies will explode!

Lots of laughter. They all think someone is listening.
I am sure their parents are, because they are all at home.
Separated because of Covid-19, but today at lunch together.
I am the monitor; I listen and learn.

You can use special supplies and build a dark lord’s castle.
Guess what? Hey, guys, guess what? Listen to me.
Listen to Jackson, guys! A temporary pause.
My next door neighbor built his whole tower out of wool.

I made an iron block house! Giggle. Giggle. Laugh Laugh.
One child holds up his cell phone so we can see on his video.
This is Poindexter Meat Hooks, my mother’s fat cat!
In my game you can get bows, arrows, building supplies, gold and diamonds.

Want to see Roblocks? Okay. Yesterday I was the first one to win Team Gray.
I play Minecraft. Want to see? Sure!
You know that firemen are supposed to put out fires, right?
No one hears, because they are all talking. 
I made my fireman BURN UP!
Lots of laughter. Giggling. Tittering.
One time I got in creative mode and hid from the monsters.
I’m only allowed to buy free stuff on my computers.

Giggle Giggle Laugh Laugh
I am only allowed to buy free stuff on Minecraft
Watch out! You are going to run into someone!
A car crashes and everyone explodes with laughter.

Semi normal for maybe the first time in a long time.
They all want to do Lunch Bunch next week.
I would not miss it for the world.
Bringing them a teensy bit of normal.

Copyright © Caren Krutsinger | Year Posted 2020

Please Login to post a comment