Saturday, 24 October 2020

P.T. Period

Nostalgic memories came gushing forth when I wrote this poem. I was in an instant transported back to the hallowed portals of my high school and its fusty classrooms. It also brought back memories of the pressure and competition of board examinations, which till date is regarded as one of the most important rites of passage for students by parents, teachers and students themselves alike. During those days, the only relief from constant studies was the solitary hour of leisure called P.T. Period where we could unwind with sports and games. Even these were robbed many a time by teachers in what were infamously regarded as sheer acts of sadism, masqueraded under the pretext of finishing portions.


Afternoon. Quarter to Two.

The second half of the antepenultimate period,

Was easing to closure.

 

The subject in question was Civics.

Boring and listless in itself,

Further added to the drear caused by the teacher,

Who babbled Federalism, Secularism,

And the four pillars of democracy,

In a somnolent voice, akin to lullaby.

 

As minutes trickled down the clock,

Which now announced the time as five minutes to half past two,

The drooping eyes and comatose bodies,

That lay seated in files of benches in 10-B,

Slowly began to come to life.

 

The P.T. Period, was finally here.

The one hour saving grace of the week.

The solitary hour of escape,

From the confines of merciless schedules

Of board exam year.

 

The window was open for catharsis.

A temporary one though,

To flex the muscles,

And to forget the tensions rendered by

Piled up studies and academic rat races,

Late night toil and burn of the midnight oil.

 

The insipid book and notebooks,

Were put away in the bag,

Much to the chagrin of the teacher.

 

The last benches were now buzzing with activity.

Tough boys split teams for the cricket and football.

The girls, even the bookish nerds, were whispering plans

Of Tennikoit and Throwball.

The middle benchers who had dozed off

Like wilted flowers arose as if watered.

 

The bell rang sharp at Two Thirty.

The boisterous class dismissed itself,

And was preparatory to leave the room.

 

When in entered a hard boiled battle-axe,

Nodding to the outgoing teacher.

 

The woman of science thus spoke the dreaded words -

“We’ve got a lot of ground to cover.

The boards are just 3 months away.

So I am taking the P.T. Periods to finish portions.”

 

For about five seconds, the exasperated class froze in horror.

Then the dung hit the ceiling.

 

“Ma’am!!!” “Please Ma’am!!!” the front bench girls squealed.

“Ma’am!!!” “We need a break!!!” begged the middle-benchers.

“Ma’am!!!” “This is killing us!!!” appealed, both in unison, to better senses.

The last bench toughies didn’t speak, but belched uncouth noises,

Whistled and hooted like owls, with a few thumping the tables.

 

After fifteen seconds of mutiny,

The science teacher, hit back with equal measure.

Banging the duster against the table three times,

Spoke in a stentorian voice -

“That’s enough. P.T. Periods can wait but portions can’t. We are already behind schedule.”

 

The voices subdued.

The teacher took chalk in hand, turned her back and moved to the board.

 

The voices began gathering steam again,

The teacher swiveled around and quelled the rumble.

“Shush. I said that’s enough!

One more word and that’ll be it.

Turn to page number 230.

Today we will cover Chapter-11: Body Health – Nutrition and Fitness.”

 

“Priyanka”, she pointed out to her pet student.

“Can you read out loud the first paragraph?”

 

“Yes Ma’am.”

 

“Physical health is very important for the body. Regular exercise and physical activity like running, cycling, swimming, Yoga and other sports helps strengthen muscles and bones.  It improves respiratory, cardiovascular, and overall health….”

 

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