When the School Campus Closes for Summer
When the School Campus Closes for Summer
1.) Campus
Classes are all done
teacher takes a needed rest
calm on the playground
Where the children played
a lonely wrapper blows by
weathered sidewalk chalk
Laughter once rang out
around these cold monkey bars
now whispers of wind
Where did children go?
When our classrooms close their doors
Summertime is here
Move from class to trees
rest and break from our studies
return to childhood
Remember a space
where children gather laughter
curiosity
Doorways to the world
explore exotic places
how the living live
Condensed families
move slow through these summer days
some broken dishes.
2.) Closes
In class with white glue
hints of life’s deeper meaning
barely holding on
No more strategy
to hold young minds interest
the pencils are down
In noisy households
where seasons heat holds secrets
a struggling garden
The sharpened pencil
a symbol of our learning
presents a sharpened wit
Each grade each degree
never an empty promise
widening the world
When campus closes
where once many children’s feet
a concrete silence
Open books are closed
time to drown in summer heat
or swim in a pool
To run in sprinklers
without thinking about numbers
all the facts are wet.
3.) For Summer
When parents recall
nostalgic summertime play
away from the school
Put away the texts
return to the library
quiet summer reads
Find friends to run with
down country roads near our home
irrigation ditch
Climb broken fences
try your luck in open fields
Dandelion seed
These generations
learning to live in world
outside of their schools
No bells or deadlines
only suppertime whistles
in evening from Dad
Gather the family
around summer Barbeque
the smells of good food
When cousins will dance
fast stepping summertime joy
a family waltz.
4.) Time
A time for fireworks
to light up a July sky
while our youngest naps
These songs of summer
remain in our memories
defining our home
Our education
as important as our play
builds our character
Just a few months more
the smiles of our new teachers
friends from long ago
With Hopscotch and hugs
school pavement will see new life
ready for new class
Gather adventures
to turn to Swashbuckling
stories on High Seas
Comparing the beach
to an Antarctic Tundra
imagination
A place in their book
lost by casual daydream
of our next summer.
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Great work, Jamie. We don’t have a summer break here, rather three small holiday period throughout the year. But your verse shows all the contrast and changes associated with Summer’s gifts. Great phrasing and imagery and thoughts of scenes in stark contrast. Very much enjoyed. Cheers!~
A delightful read and it sure brings back memories of the joys of summer break. Excellenty written Haiku, Jamie. Well done.
Thank you Jamie for the delightful end of school memories. Enjoyed this.
Thank you Tony, Phyllis, and Rasma. Jamie