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The sparkle board does its best,
in green, gold, and red letters,
to remind them of the cafeteria rules.
Letters home, posters, announcements,
and hand-outs had no effect.
A ding starts the period;
latecomers dodge in
the "out" door,
hoping not to be caught.
Four lines wait, impatient for food.
Another bell and
a low-sounding rumble
of voices.
Fire drill.
Five hundred students,
jacket-less,
numb their fingers
while five teachers
hold them back with scowls.
You want fire? I’ll give you fire!
Burn the school!
Let us in!
mixed with curses.
One thousand feet
rush the building.
For thirty seconds:
freedom.
But the threats
of Principle C.
Send them back.
-Erika Salomon
