First Day of School

Now that my school year is finished

I can return at my leisure to the first day.

Scent of varnish, new paint,

Bright covers of fresh books,

New, unsharpened pencils,

New tablets, fresh air,

Chalkboards clean, desks all in their rows,

Teacher’s desk on its platform,

Room filled with promise of wondrous lore, and

Best of all: the welcome of the teacher,

Sister in her black habit, face framed

By immaculate white celluloid,

Beads dangling from her waist.

I will linger a while in this fine scented room

Full of promise of wondrous lore.

--March 28, 2013