First Day

Summer’s over—
Unofficially—
And the hot hallway air
Mocks their sentencing.
There is no escape.
Single-file, they enter
Their ten-month confinement
Behind sealed windows, closed doors.
They occupy designated seats,
Neighbored by assigned peers.
Every move is watched, noted, reported.
They listen
As good behavior eases the time.
Freedom will ring again,
But not on their watch.