Alma Mater

Lonely and abandoned
Still upon its slope
Barren of trees
Empty parking lot.
Begs for a return of life
A return of
Young voices calling
Laughter flowing down its halls.
The bang of locker doors
Shuffling of papers
Whispering in classes
Period bells.
Basketballs dribbling
Cheering and bands
Footsteps running
Up and down the stairs
The tap tap of typing
The drone of lessons
Being taught and learned.

The field to the left
Track barely showing
Goal posts still guarding
The field missing its glory,
Missing the excitement.
Missing the football games
With lights highlighting
Every play called
Every whistle blown
The cheering crowd
Supporting their favorite sons
Missing Homecoming
With its festive crowd
Welcoming the candidates
Crowning of royalty.
The track missing
Young feet pounding
Their urgent rhythm
The firing of the starting gun
The passing of batons.
The air holding the leaps
The sand caressing the landing.

Viewing this place
With childhood memories still fresh.
With three decades of western winds
blown past.
I see what is and miss what
Resides in the memory
Of once a child.