THE LAST BENCH

THE LAST BENCH

The last bench knows
who forgot their homework,

who drew galaxies
behind the timetable,

who watched rain
instead of equations,

who whispered
“I don’t understand”

too softly
for the teacher to hear.

It has carried
unfinished notes,

secret jokes,

exam-day prayers,

and names carved
with enormous confidence
into very small wood.

Every year
new students arrive

believing the classroom
belongs to them.

Every year
they leave.

The last bench remains,

holding all the things
we thought
nobody noticed.