I hear kids loitering
the hallway
I listen
something bubbles
about the back corner
of the schoolyard.

I go to the door,
eyes scatter.

I call over Isaiah
ask, “Something going on?”

“Nah, we’re cool.”

“You stay away from it, you hear?”

“Yes miss.”

I go for help
but everyone has gone
home
already.

Down the hall I tell
the science teacher.

“Want to know what I really think?” he says.
I start to walk out
without the nerve
to say no
so he shouts
“It’s 3:10
not my problem,
not today.”

Back down the hall,
two kids try the office.
Kids from another school
surround the school they say
another teacher casually listens.

He tells one kid he’ll walk him home.

“Nah, I don’t need to be lookin like some fuckin pussy
walkin outta here with no teacher.”

“Oh.”

I offer the same to the other
and mumble
“Not that I’d be of much use.”

I’m told to call the guidance counselor instead,
and I do,
but surprise,
he’s left the building too.
He tells me nonetheless
to go downstairs
I’ll find a security guard there.

She’s slowly standing when I say,
“Excuse me, some kids are concerned
there’s some people waiting for them …”

“Dumb kids
should have told me earlier
it’s after three,
my shift’s over.”

“Oh” I say, “Well whose on next?”

“Not here yet.”

“Well isn’t there something we can do?”

“You let them tell you
your problem now.
I don’t let them tell me things.”

Then she trudged down the stairs.

Back upstairs the kids have gone.

I go to put my head in my hands

blue
with exploded marker.