Shower Day

Once a week

Is shower day

The only chance

To wash away

The dirt and dust

Of being a student

In a crowded room

Full of brown, naked bodies

And the combined dirt and shared stink

Of one more long tedious week

The name of the game

Is quite simple and basic

To get the water when and where you can

There is something true

About humanity unadorned

Something honest

About smelly feet

And the odor of sweat

My students try to hide everything from me

And yet can keep nothing from me

I know them too well

In all their weakness

In all their common humanity

I know them that way

And will remember them always

With fondness in my heart