Wandering, ambling, waddling, slow,
they walk on my bike path, walk in the road:
kids on a rope. Why are kids on a rope?
Velcro shoes muffle the shuffle of feet;
Autumn winds wisp through their lisps, missing teeth.
Kids on a rope. Why are kids on a rope?
Bundled in coats though it’s 60 in fall,
don’t stray too far, children. Don’t stray at all,
kids on a rope. Why are kids on a rope?
You can’t hit your students, teach God or Huck Finn,
but you can tie them on a line to stay in:
kids on a rope. Why are kids on a rope?