A boy in 4A once played with his toys
He jumped, rumbled and squeaked on the floors
Now he has moved far away
and left the squeaks behind

From 4A there are now different rumbles
different squeaks
a violent squall between two
who
should not have
 but did
And yet another boy has moved
This time to Rikers

4A is plagued
divorce and disease

yet seeping through our floors
there is another kind of noise
not bed thumps
or red lumps of heart ache

instead it is a deep sense
a pride
that all who have known the walls and halls
of 152
all who have relished in the dog days of summer
and the fall days of golden leaves
all who have come to embrace the magic
of backyard winter snowmen giggles
and hopes of spring

that this home
this heart that pervades and pumps in the lives of those
fortunate enough to pulse and prosper

this home has birthed
possibility
yours
mine
ours.