SANCTUARY

SANCTUARY

By Robert John Meehan

In the stillness of the moment

Our eyes quietly meet

A nod from me approving

Good behavior in their seat

La Tisha and Amanda

Quietly working at their task

While Frederick and La Tonya

File up for questions yet to ask

Robert and Desmond

With counselor soon to meet

As Brian and Krisha

Resist playing footsie with their feet

In the solitude of the morning

My class is all on task

A smile from me Ok'ing

There'll be time for questions yet to ask

I can hear Michael sighing

As yesterday's homework's done

While noticing all the while

That Sara's just begun

With pencil to the paper

A whispering sound I hear

As Clarissa and Latoya

To Ronda lend an ear

Niki and Lakisha

This quiet moment to invest

Both silently preparing

Knowing tomorrow brings a test

Brandon and Malinda

Their attention never waning

Even Tyrone and Kevin

New knowledge are obtaining

While Anthony intently studies

The biography of Dr. King

Jackie's yet perceiving

Her book's new wonders soon to spring

Nodding and affirming

My smile fans the class

Not a sound unconfirming

That they're mindful of their task

A SOUND OF SCREECHING TIRES

Interrupts our private life

As little bodies scramble

To the gunfire's ambient strife

Glass shattering around them

Each immediate sanctuary sought

As frightened eyes search out mine

Wondering what of this we wrought

NO..Not just another drive-by

But the unveiling of a not so innocent truth

NO..Not just another drive-by

But a vile invasion of our precious youth

Copyright 1993-2011