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….”
