Can I Really Learn Today?

Can I Really Learn Today?
By Scott Newport


In the midst of empty classrooms
children run with direction
eyes gazing forward
only one thought
of following the other

Heat rises to the asbestos ceiling
ravaged maple floors bubble like ocean waves
hazy basket balls bounce
echoing just like it does
everywhere else

Teachers cry out the names and ask
“what was your name again?”
the spaces echo of lime porcelain borders
the names pasted quietly
to slamming metal lockers

I just watch
from my stilts
and the unusual
heights of being
white