Bok was one of 23 schools chosen by the Philadelphia School Board and the School Reform Commission to close, merging thousands of students into classes elsewhere, already at capacity; and hundreds of teachers and administrators out of work. This decision was an effort, a shameless one, to climb out of a deficit of over $300 million. Most students haven't yet grasped what's happening while others, including alumni and staff, are solemn over the troubled school's closing.
students haunt hallways
and staircases
eyes searching beyond camera lenses
for faces
that'd seek their story
they said we couldn't ask
though it's already known
this used to be their playground
A League of Their Own
badges and lanyards
no one seemed to care
that next year
would've been senior year
they'd have carried this alma mater
the colors
proudly
pep rallies
chant loudly
in tune to an orchestra
resounding
vibrating the foundation
years from now
who will know what was created
or what was in the making?
blueprints toward college admission
Le Bok Fin's newest chef master in the kitchen
$300 million
toward a new prison?
searching for advocates
not the most powerful pacifists
supporting abandonment
who knew they'd take our education
and start cashing in
on an auction block with an inmate
but in light of such mistake
any one of us could take his place
become another number
and let such be the case
all we needed was a fighting chance
bot a fucking circumstance
they'll have so many of us over there
we'll start pouring out the door
in yet another school
decrepit and worn
until rain's pouring through the roof
and we're falling through the floor
and if performance was poor
let it show that attitude reflected leadership
that bright future
didn't believe in it
pleaded it
but the village wasn't seeing it
and the concerned became fewer
for every finger pointed at each other
there were three pointed back at each accuser
all of us
christian, muslim, and the not so spiritual
were waiting for miracles
made in the interior of collapsing stars
pushed toward the exterior
leave the door ajar
for one last look at the journey thus far
turn the page
and realize that this is not the end
-Sherone I'naru'
students haunt hallways
and staircases
eyes searching beyond camera lenses
for faces
that'd seek their story
they said we couldn't ask
though it's already known
this used to be their playground
A League of Their Own
badges and lanyards
no one seemed to care
that next year
would've been senior year
they'd have carried this alma mater
the colors
proudly
pep rallies
chant loudly
in tune to an orchestra
resounding
vibrating the foundation
years from now
who will know what was created
or what was in the making?
blueprints toward college admission
Le Bok Fin's newest chef master in the kitchen
$300 million
toward a new prison?
searching for advocates
not the most powerful pacifists
supporting abandonment
who knew they'd take our education
and start cashing in
on an auction block with an inmate
but in light of such mistake
any one of us could take his place
become another number
and let such be the case
all we needed was a fighting chance
bot a fucking circumstance
they'll have so many of us over there
we'll start pouring out the door
in yet another school
decrepit and worn
until rain's pouring through the roof
and we're falling through the floor
and if performance was poor
let it show that attitude reflected leadership
that bright future
didn't believe in it
pleaded it
but the village wasn't seeing it
and the concerned became fewer
for every finger pointed at each other
there were three pointed back at each accuser
all of us
christian, muslim, and the not so spiritual
were waiting for miracles
made in the interior of collapsing stars
pushed toward the exterior
leave the door ajar
for one last look at the journey thus far
turn the page
and realize that this is not the end
-Sherone I'naru'