Done

Done

There were banging and muttering sounds,

Some days started like this but didn’t hang around.

The calling, the pushing, the urging to get up,

A bowl set beside a napkin, coffee in my cup.

A time for remembering, and new memories made,

In shadowy rooms filled with chatter, refusing any aid.

Sleepy eyes squinting to see, tired legs unwilling to stand,

Echoes from the end of the hall tell me that they can.

“Let’s get up now,” I’d often say,

In the darkness as I silently prayed.

“It’s a new day, the last one at this time,”

From the doorway, each morning I chimed.

Reluctant to rush or be hurried along,

But preferred to be left in bed all alone.

“This is the last day of the school year,

One that you’ve looked to my dear.”

Can this be, the closure we’ve looked for,

All testing and assessing with passing scores.

Last day of ninth grade, it’s all behind,

Homework, buses, and friends that were kind.

It’s been a good year, not too many worries,

As we went through the motions, me on my knees.

It’s time to relax and let it all go, we’re done,

Rejoicing school days are over, no more to come.