A latch lifts, an edged den of light
opens across the yard.
From the dusk, I walk toward the car.
With a rattle it comes to life.
I am on my way to school.

I run to my first class,
today we dissolve calcium chloride in water.
Next comes film studies.
We are deciphering a director’s motives.

The day breezes by
as I discuss hard-hitting stories
for the school’s next newspaper.

When lunchtime arrives,
a pick-me-up is just what I need.
I am calm as I walk back to class.
“Only two hours to go.” I repeat to myself.

Calculus hits me like a ton of textbooks,
but I am ready for the day’s final challenge.
Five more integrals,
four more integrals, 3, 2 ,1…

As the bell rings for 3 o’clock
I skip to the student parking lot.
My car rattles back to life.
Twenty-four hours from the lifting of the latch,
it lifts again.