SCHOOL BUS

Lurching behind the school bus stops can make
For impatience, unless you’re next in line and can spy
The scene inside. It varies. Junior Highs
Are a crazy mix of cool and what it takes

To deal with hormonal tremors. The Middle Schooler
Is mostly bouncy, and makes a breed between
The jack-1n-the-box and Mexican jumping bean.
Kindergarten kids can often fool us.

The bus appears to be empty: They’re stashed behind
The rising seatbacks. Only on the stops
The aisle betrays a gentle [flippity-flop]
Of bobbing hats, and from the door unwinds

The parade of puffs of fluff, and evidence
Of another day of fading innocence.

(137, December 2, 1993)

->