Vacation Pac Journal Responses to 3 Poems

SCHOOL BUSES

You’d think that by the end of June they’d take themselves
Away, get out of sight—but no, they don’t; they
Don’t at all. You see them waiting through
July in clumps of sumac near the railroad, or
Behind a service station, watching, always watching for a
Child who’s let go of summer’s hand and strayed. I have
Seen them hunting on the roads of August—empty buses
Scanning woods and ponds with rows of empty eyes. This morning
I saw five of them, parked like a week of
Schooldays, smiling slow in orange paint and
Smiking with their mirrors in the sun—
But summer isn’t done! Not yet!

--Russell Hoban

Bed Sore

I might just stay in bed today.
I’ve got this kind of funny pain
Around the middle of my brain—
I get it when it’s going to rain.
I might just stay in bed.

I guess I’ll stay in bed today.
My stomach’s full of bubbling goo,
My teeth are feeling poorly too—
I maybe have a touch of flu.
I guess I’ll stay in bed.

I think I’ll stay in bed today.
My tongue tastes like a Brussels sprout,
My toes are sore (it could be gout),
I feel my liver leaking out.
I think I’ll stay in bed.

I ought to stay in bed today.
I’ve got an ache in every bone
And probably a kidney stone—
I’m sure I should be left alone.
I ought to stay in bed.

I’d better stay in bed today.
My corpuscles are oozing gunk,
My heart just gave an awful clunk,
I think my floating ribs have sunk.
I’d better stay in bed.

I hate to stay in bed today.
I’ll miss the test on Ancient Rome,
And fighting mean old Moose Malone
And bringing my report card home—
Too bad I’m sick in bed!

--Mary Blakeslee

SONG

If I take you to my island
you’ll have to remember
to speak quietly
you’ll have to remember
sound carries over water
you must come by night
we’ll walk through the dark
orchards to the sea
and gather crystal jellyfish
from the black water
we’ll lie on the sand
and feel the galaxy
an our cheeks and foreheads
you’ll have to remember
to wear warm clothing
follow where I go
and speak very softly
if I take you
--Pat Lowther