these hallways are quiet now but soon enough
they'll be filled with the rush of voices and
the slapping and pounding of thousands of footsteps
against the dull gray carpet,
excited shouts and ephemeral laughter,
secrets whispered within
the curious confines of cliquey circles,
casual conversationalists and
boisterous boys raucously masquerading as men,
couples kissing, embracing beneath the staircases,
leaning against the corridor walls
under the bright broad daylight
that streams in through the strict square windows,
amidst the sounds of horseplay and joking echoing
bouncing off the vault-high ceilings,
herds of students inside
the building that looks like a jail, and finally
the last kids straggling through the halls,
frantically racing against the clock
to get to the same places as always.