Matthew R. Callies

After-School Cartography

They build a place where students can be whole

where silence used to rule the after-school

Each hallway learns a language of its own

 

and posters bloom in stairwells unafraid

and whispers learn to speak without control

They build a place where students can be whole

 

teachers learn to listen, not to lead

where silence used to rule the after-school

Each hallway learns a language of its own

 

clubs form like constellations after class

and whispers learn to speak without control

They build a place where students can be whole

 

a student finds their voice and is believed

teachers learn to listen, not to lead

Each hallway learns a language of its own

 

no one has to hide inside the crowd

clubs form like constellations after class

They build a place where students can be whole

Each hallway learns a language of its own