3:31 06-26

The last yard end of a sentence 

was always pure bedlam,

the hell’s bells riot 

crush of summer’s arrival

sweeping aside whatever bits 

of chalk still wished to scrape 

the soles of our liberated slates.

The only thought we’d had 

all day was how slow a clock 

could grind against the gate 

before the great break-

out of shorts, worms & all

day bat arounds. 

By half-past three the surge 

had tipped the senses, 

congealed into a kinetic static 

only Nagasaki could comprehend. 

A million billion zillion atoms 

suddenly unleashed 

split from boredom 

for two months parole --

the last yard end of a sentence 

indefinitely suspended.  

Ken e Bujold 

Reviews

[Perdition]

Not Hiroshima? I mean it was the first after all and whoa what an explosive analogy. There are some absolutely wonderful images in this Kodak flash-snap moment from both perceptions from teacher to student, before that bell of summer has rung. Just Wow, to put so eloquently as if dismissed, the dropping of an atomic bomb into a kettle of a schoolday and stir! Oh why not it is quite fitting after all, and there should be flames and fire in the recipe of poetry..." all day bat arounds"? I love that line! Well done ken as always. Thanks!

[Neville]

Been there done that and wore the umpteenth T shirt out & all before 4 hit :)

[Cyprian Van Dyke]

This poem makes one think about the old day's of school in and school out. Nicely penned!

[Ken e Bujold]

thanks for review Cyprian. was feeling nostalgic

[W. Barrett Munn]

Obviously you were not a school teacher. The great break-out turns into a second job to pay the bills of summer. But, from another viewpoint, you have said it wonderfully.

Winston

[Ken e Bujold]

no such worry here. teachers are extremely well paid and unionized

[Betty Hermelee]

We couldn't wait for the summer to begin, and the school year to end.... I remember it well; the last week of school kids were unfocused and jittery in expectation of freedom and the warm weather...."crush of summer's arrival".....time seemed to pass so slowly before all hell broke loose...fun at last!!!
Best, B

[willweb]

Those were the days when summer meant no worries, no responsibilities, just fun and sun but now...it is work and if you are lucky, you can take 5 days off during the year. I was one of those who couldn't wait for school to be over, but once it was completely over...I wanted to back. Nice one Ken

[John the Baptist]

I fondly recall the last day of the school year before the summer break. Your vivid imagery conveys well the aura of excitement and anticipation of that great day. Of course, the dwindling days of August engendered the opposite feelings of apprehension and dread. I wonder if we would grow weary of an eternal June.