by Tod Christensen
Once full of life she just sits there empty and alone now
Like a washed-up actress just aching to take one more bow
Her looks have faded but aren’t completely gone
This old school still has the memories of the children it spawned
Today small children walk by it on their way to the new one
But in her day this building was the pride of the town and second to none
I sneak in occasionally just to walk these quiet corridors
And peek into my homeroom when I was but a sophomore
Class pictures full of smiling faces still line the hall
And I know that many of those faces are still smiling but sadly not all
Some people want to think this building is haunted and scary
So while I embrace my visits many remain wary
Which is just as well because she should be treated with reverence and awe
Because of the memories she created and all the lives that she saw
I touch the spot on the wood floor stairway to see if it still squeaks
As the silent shadows of the memories around the corners try to peek
I go into the old gym and it’s smaller than I remember
But it was always packed when the snow started falling deep in December
I can still hear the cheers and the sound of the band
Maybe no state titles but those memories are still grand
I feel a sense of comfort as I continue to explore
Like she is speaking to me and wants me to see just a little bit more
Like an elderly relative just waiting out her last days
Thankful for a visitor that breaks up her thousand-mile gaze
As I sneak out the same way that I came
Past the mural on the wall and our mascot;s name
I am struck by how anyone could be so thoughtless and cruel
As to so casually refer to her as that old school
