By Lawrence “Mack in Texas” Hall (rated G)
An Active School Meeting in Progress
A motion to adjourn is always in order
This morning I drove by my old school
A staff meeting was being committed inside
Perpetrating crimes against intelligence
“HELLO MY NAME IS”
10,000 years of civilization?
Doughnuts and foam cups of coffee
“IT’S A GREAT DAY TO BE A WILDCAT!”
Or a lion, a tiger, a platypus
The new superintendent loves Jesus
His family, children, and America
Doughnuts and foam cups of coffee
He introduces the motivational speaker
Who loves Jesus, his family, children
America, and unsourced parables
“MAKE THIS THE BEST YEAR EVER! HOO-AH!”
Doughnuts and foam cups of coffee
The coaches sit in the back reading the sports pages
And Campbell’s Texas Football – a point of privilege
English teachers count split infinitives in the program
“LET’S ALL HOLD HANDS AND SING OUR ALMA MATTER [sic]!”
Doughnuts and foam cups of coffee
Generally speaking I’m against the death penalty
I’d make an exception for motivational speakers
It’s for the children
The Age of the Clear Plastic Backpack
My school bag was an old Boy Scout knapsack
And in Indo-China I carried my kit
In canvas made in 1944
With canvas we carried away the wounded and dead
As a civilian I carried a briefcase for a time
But a briefcase is like a narrow tie
They both show up on old-movie night
Just right for Tony Randall in the 1950s
I’m back to canvas, but now they make the kids
Carry clear plastic in our war against ourselves
The School Superintendent Gives a Speech
You can’t just throw money at the problems
you have to think outside the box education
for the 21st century my door is always open
words have meanings professional passionate
mission statement child-centered striving exceptional
make a difference you can’t just throw money
at the problems you have to think outside
the box education for the 21st century
my door is always open words have meanings
professional passionate mission statement
child-centered striving exceptional make a difference
you can’t just throw money at the problems
you have to think outside the box education
for the 21st century my door is always open
words have meanings professional passionate
mission statement child-centered striving exceptional
make a difference you can’t just throw money
at the problems you have to think outside
the box education for the 21st century
my door is always open words have meanings
professional passionate mission statement
child-centered striving exceptional make a difference
Kleenex Goes in the Top, Right-Hand Drawer
By Lawrence “Mack in Texas” Hall
They don’t talk about Kleenex in teacher-prep
But it is an essential for adolescent tears
The hissings of mean girls, heartbreak, mis-matched socks
The deaths of schoolmates
Kleenex goes in the top, right-hand drawer
Immediately to hand when the world goes wrong
Rejections, failing a test, no date for the prom
The deaths of schoolmates
Kleenex goes in the top, right-hand drawer
Sometimes it’s all you have
LogoSophia Magazine 