The crinkle of lab aprons surrounds me

As I wait to begin the experiment.

Soon, the hissing of gas is audible.

The flash coming from the flint spark lighter is visible.

The Bunsen burner is generating a large, uncontrollable flame,

Until I tighten the needle valve, returning it
to a small, purple cone of fire.

In the distance,

Bubbling solutions,

Steam,

The clink of the metal tongs meeting the thin glass of the beaker,

The shatter of the beaker because somebody foolishly dropped it,

The patter of boiling water as it is dumped into the long, rectangular sink,

The scratching of pencil on the lab report sheets, recording data,

And the beeping noise of the timer.

Now the instructions from the teacher, telling us to turn off the gas,

The shattering.

Bubbling. Clinking.

Pattering. Beeping. Crinkling  

And scratching finally stop.

The only thing that is now detectable  

Is the ring of the bell, because class is over.