The tapping of pencils creates a strange beat
Set off by the walking and shuffling of feet
Hands brushing pencils and papers away
Whispered words like, “What’s the date today?”
The only slow thing moving is the clock
Students looking, it seems to mock
Thoughts of sleeping and beds at home
More pressing than the "Roman Dome"

The chattering of kids behind the door
Feet jittering against the floor
Backpacks zipped up in advance
Heads nodding in a trance
Paper crinkled into balls
A notebook and a binder falls
27 minds trying to think
27 pencils moving in sync

The teacher shushing
Students hushing
Lights shining
Kids whining
Papers turn
Try to learn

Tapping
Snapping
Thoughts of napping
Sneezing
Wheezing
Whispered teasing
Mumbling
Fumbling
Minds tumbling,

The clock jumps forward with a beat
Rush out, switch classes, and then repeat