School Days
When I was a kid, still in school
I remember saying the Pledge of Allegiance
and it was cool
Then the speaker would come on
and we'd hear the Principal say
Let us bow our heads
as he began to pray
Then the Teacher would ask
for the homework to be turned in
An excuse "the dog ate it"
well, that was a Cardinal Sin
We may have a quick quiz
or begin show and tell
Everyone doing as they were told
just waiting to hear that first bell
Recess is here!!
Let's go out and play!!
We're starting a game of dodge-ball
you would hear someone say
We would play "chase"
Cowboys and Indians too
Or perhaps someone would show off
their new Swiss Army Tool
Then the bell would ring again
and everyone would head back in
Some of the boys tucking in their shirt
Others trying to remove the dirt
We'd have class
until time for lunch
Then many of us would gather
all in a bunch
As the brown bags would come out
and one would hear the negotiations
begin with a shout
I'll trade my ham and cheese
and throw in an apple as well
All I want is your Twinkies
and a promise you won't tell
Those days are now
a thing of the past
Good days, good friends
they simply don't last
Not once can I recall
of hearing about a kid
being kicked out of school
for having a gun in the hall
The worst thing I can remember
I recall all too well
is talking back to my teacher
for my parents she would tell
Riding bikes without helmets
and fighting on the school yard
I never realized until recently
that we had it so hard
We wore pants around our waist
and our shirts were tucked in
We treated adults with respect
saying yes sir and yes mam
What happened to those days?
Are they gone for good?
If given the option of having them back
if I could, I would
So when you send your child
off to class
Remember, they don't have
the things we had in the past
If, from your child
you hear a swear word or two
While it's still inexcusable
Just remember, God is no longer allowed in school
He'll have to wear a helmet
to get on his bike
And he can't put into his pocket
his Swiss Army Knife
We're now better for it
or so they say
We did things wrong in the past
I just wish they were still that way
Ron Cowart | 2014
