Four Three Two One
At work, desk phone and cell phone ring simultaneously,
caller ID on the cell, it is the kid’s high school calling again.
Just yesterday, we were informed about the bomb threat
via this automated emergency alert system. My heartbeat
explodes in my chest, up through the arteries in my neck,
the extra blood fuels the emotions that blast into my head.
The mechanical woman’s voice, today’s monotone message:
THIS IS THE DISTRICT EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM,
AT APPROXIMATELY 10:00 O’CLOCK THIS MORNING
AT THE HIGH SCHOOL, A NEW THREAT WAS DISCOVERED
WRITTEN ON A BATHROOM WALL. STUDENTS AND STAFF
WERE EVACUATED AND HELD AT THE FOOTBALL STADIUM
FOR THEIR SAFETY WHILE THE STATE POLICE CONDUCTED
A CANINE SWEEP OF THE BUILDING. AFTER THEY DECLARED
THE BUILDING SAFE, STUDENTS RETURNED TO THE SCHOOL
IN TIME TO BOARD THE BUSSES FOR THEIR RETURN HOME
AT THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED TIMES. ALL AFTERNOON
AND EVENING ACTIVITIES SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY
AT THE HIGH SCHOOL HAVE BEEN CANCELLED. ALL CLASSES
AND ACTIVITIES SCHEDULED FOR FRIDAY WILL PROCEED
AS NORMAL WITH HEIGHTENED SECURITY AT THE SCHOOL.
THAT IS ALL.
There is one more hour to work today
then a thirty-four minute drive home
until I may hug both my children again.
The only thing I can do right now
is depress number one on the phone
to confirm to the school district
I have received this message.
5 comments:
My God...I would have mad with fear and anger. A thing like this would have me thinking seriously about home school.
I'm sorry, I know that this is probably no time to try to be funny. On the other hand, maybe a little levity can be helpful during times of great stress? Anyway, when I read, "That is all'" at the end of that transcript, I had a MASH flashback. I'm serious, I could actually hear Radar O'Reilly signing off over the public address speakers. Please forgive me if you find this to be in poor taste.
Thanks buds for the look see and comments.
No worries Jerry, I am glad this poem could have an affect on you. It's just a poem anyway, a "found" one based on these recent alerts we got a couple weeks ago. The last bit sums it up for me, I hear the meassage but are totally helpless to do anything about the situations.
The emergency alerts are cool, a bit streessful to get sometimes, but a cool thing to have. I am glad we have them to quickly inform of snow days and unfortunately these situations and they do say "That is all" sometimes at the end. It's been very frustrating for me, the kids, and I am sure the school having these threats. They had 6 last year and 2 already this year but rumor has it that they caught a perp the other day that did the two from last week. I hope they make an example of him/her and publisice the hell out of it.
Peace out bothers!
Have a great weekend and remember to vote early! Peace and joy.
Thank you for being so understanding. I am so, so sorry that you are having to endure such torment.
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