the country school

[j88ls]

the school swelters under a harsh sun
the red bricks and paint a pale shadow of the land
laughing children scream and throw the ball
they run around and chase each other
their skin ranging from darkest brown to cream
flashing white teeth in happy laughing faces
only the siren brings them to the classrooms
and the stern warnings of teachers and admin
the peacocks on the farm utter their shrill screams
roosters crow and chickens cluck contentedly
the horses stand in their paddock eating feed
the sprinklers turn lazily ticking like clocks
turning to green the red of this earth
michael rides his mower in wide circles
taming the fertile length of the green grass
teachers chat to each other exchanging stories
working so far away from their city homes
lunchtime duty walking through the playground
collecting rubbish in plastic bags, chatting to children
stopping fights and administering first aid
one more class then the school day ends
the clock slows down as the day comes to an end
the final siren blares in loud rejoicing
children leave noisily from their classroom prison
I finish off my days work and collect my possessions
I leave the school with a sense of satisfaction
only three more days until the weekend