Herding Sheep

Maybe not as bad as herding cats
wrangling felines, not that tough
the not yet awake children a bit more compliant
Teachers, aides, administrators (though less so)
herding sheep, willful mind of their own sheep
on the schoolhouse playground
streaming off the buses, out of the cars
out onto the blacktop, at breakneck speed
is that early morning dread I see,
on the face of the veterans
the newness already worn off
five and six, maybe seven year olds
outwitting their elders, so soon
with invisible edges to the area to run
keeping away from the bigger kids
fun watching from the sidelines
keeping score of the ones who got away

September 2, 2008
Pembroke Village School