In the stillness of the moment <br />Our eyes quietly meet <br />A nod from me affirming <br />Good behavior in their seat <br /> <br />LaTisha and Amanda <br />Quietly working at their task <br />While Frederick and LaTonya <br />File up for questions yet to ask <br /> <br />Robert and Desmond <br />With counselor soon to meet <br />As Brian and Krisha <br />Resist playing footsie with their feet <br /> <br />In the solitude of the morning <br />My class is all on task <br />A smile from me OK'ing <br />There'll be time for questions yet to ask <br /> <br />I can hear Michael sighing <br />As yesterday's homework's done <br />While noticing all the while <br />That Sara's just begun <br /> <br />With pencil to the paper <br />A whispering sound I hear <br />As Clarissa and LaToya <br />To Rhonda lend an ear <br /> <br />NiKi and Lakisha <br />This quiet moment to invest <br />Both silently preparing <br />Knowing tomorrow brings a test <br /> <br />Brandon and Malinda <br />Their attention never waining <br />Even Tyrone and Kevin <br />New knowledge are obtaining <br /> <br />While Anthony intently studies <br />The biography of Dr. King <br />Jackie's yet perceiving <br />Her book's new wonders soon to spring <br /> <br />Nodding and affirming <br />My smile fans the class <br />Not a sound unconfirming <br />That they're mindful of their task <br /> <br />THE SOUND OF SCREECHING TIRES <br />Interrupts our private life <br />As little bodies scramble <br />To the gunfire's ambient strife <br /> <br />Glass shattering around them <br />Each immediate sanctuary sought <br />As frightened eyes seek out mine <br />Wondering what of this we wrought <br /> <br />No...Not just another drive-by <br />But the unveiling of a not so innocent truth <br />No...Not just another drive-by <br />But a vile invasion of our precious youth<br /><br />Robert John Meehan<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/sanctuary-12/
