'Chinami Middle School.'

The words were printed on the sign near the gates
that protected the premises of the lovely little building
in the midst of all the greenery.

Situated in the middle of the village,
the place was peacefully still.
From here to there,
students roamed about,
whispering quietly to one another.
Undisturbed and serene.
--

               This was the kind of school we attended.

                                      But today,

                           unusually for this hour,

                      there was quite a ruckus in the classroom as we entered.