(photo by Tom Mahl)

 THE DAY AFTER

EASTERN HEIGHTS JUNIOR HIGH

WAS TORN DOIWN

no more classroom

where Miss Radachy playd Bach

on a portable record player

no more gymnasium

where we lined up

for polio shots

no more locker room

where Ed Buttle

gave me that compliment

no more hallway

where a pair of bullies

pushd me against the wall

I stash my past

in word envelopes

that fill a box

I call a book

which joins others

in the library that is me