Many thoughts race through my head at this time of the year. One, in particular, is a memory of that brand new box of crayons (usually only the 24-crayon box) I would look forward to seeing in my clean book bag, so lovely and organized, ready for the new school year. One year, it was the 64-crayon box! Hmmm... a childhood dilemma, which crayon shall I choose first?
Back to School
(or)
A New Box of Crayons
There is nothing as sweet as the waxy aroma
of a brand new 64-count box of Crayola crayons
bought especially for that first day of school.
It has the crayon sharpener right on the box!
And oh, the most marvelous feeling:
sliding the very first crayon out of its sleeve.
Periwinkle Blue! Carnation Pink! Burnt Siena!
What does it mean, this lovely box of crayons?
Summer is over! Those lazy, creative days sitting
under the maple tree, dreaming of 'next school year'
are etched forever as summer childhood memories.
Those encouraging words from last June come alive.
New: books, shoes, clothes, hope, friends!
Old ones, too, but now with new stories to share.
Early autumn, with its cool breezes,
whisks colorful leaves that dance among fallen apples:
Nature's own fresh box of crayons.
Tossed with a sanguine force that energizes
each step toward the school's front door,
kind smiles herald enlightenment
radiating from a Teacher's welcoming heart.
© Jeanne I. Lakatos
