high school haiku (free verse)

the bell rings

joyous reunions

lockers slamming

new clothes though unsure

where to go for homeroom

searching for a friend

old teacher shocked

how short the girls’ skirts 

how long the boys' hair

leaves falling

sweater weather

dreaming of kissing

teacher announces quiz

students groan

fooled again!

the first snow

everyone at the windows

lessons abandoned

loud speaker blaring

report to the auditorium

students slump, yawning

passing in the hall

hands briefly touching

hearts loudly thumping

after the students

exit the auditorium

a glove left on a seat

smells of tater tots

fish sticks and ketchup;

lunch!

absurd high schoolers

wondering what is absurd

and deciding everything

thick snow falling

praying for a snow day

instead, school

oh no! forgot

to study for the test

again!

muddy tracks through snow

a paper tumbling, a cold wind

winter school yard

day dreaming in class

notes passing, hearts breaking

teacher calling for attention

hallway empty

except one student

head bent, crying

warm sun, robins call

after school students loiter

holding coats, laughing

windows open wide

last day of school, finally!

the lake beckons

staying out late with friends

cicadas calling

hoping summer never ends