Substituting For Another Teacher Poem by Pierre Lien

i forced my eyes open when i entered the gate of hell.
the rascals continued their usual deeds,
heckling and tormenting every visitor they reluctantly welcome.

good
after noon

classsssss.

like an amp set to overdrive and delay the voice
duplicated by forty foldsssscreeching what a scientist would call
a total mess.

sit down.

following thumpings were ignorance and despise
and whispers of 'who the hell is this guy'

with my pen i wrote on the wall
'three warnings given, most of all'

and so the sonic tug-o-war commenced.
it is like holding a leash to dogs that don't quite understand
the reason a leash exists.
and when i tug it ever so slightly the canines shushes
shuddering upon the scenery of a sadistic master
who shuns everything but total silence.

the clock decided to take its time
to both the kids and i
it is like facing each other in a war in which both sides lose.

i counted with my little enemies
look see, five minutes to recess
the devils covered themselves with their wings
perchance wondering if sleeping would urge time to run.

and then we're down to one.
surveying them for thirty-nine minutes i feel bad
for taking away their freedom to be kids.
i have no mirror but i knew i looked ugly:
the forty sooted faces has notified me.

is there another way than keeping them quiet
in a class that isn't a class?
in a lesson in which nothing is learnt?
in a lecture that has no measure?

then the bell invites us to be free.
the rascals all dressed in white suddenly.

and as i stepped out
a few hands clutched the corner of my shirt asking
sir
you forgot your pen.