A SOUTH KOREAN SCHOOL ASSEMBLY

A SOUTH KOREAN SCHOOL ASSEMBLY

I stand in the empty
Teachers room
By the window
Behind the flag
Watching
Pubescent boys
Ordered into formation
Looking up
To the structurally elevated authority
The principals harsh face
Stares down from the podium
His mouth contorts
Spitting
Shouting into the microphone
That amplifies
And distorts his words
On either side
Teachers form
A barrier
Like generals
Reviewing parades
From up top of mausoleums
But from here
I can see the fidgeting
Restless shifting from foot to foot
And the Ethics teacher
Discreetly
Relieving
The persistent
Irritating
itch
hemorrhoids.