“Take your places,” Sister said,
and with a nod
she turned and led
a class of twenty girls and boys
who tried in vain to make no noise,
As they walked into the class,
Solemnly, each lad and lass
Followed Sister into their room,
Down a corridor of gloom,
And at the door the Sister said
“Take your places”
And they tread
Across the floor where they would find
The desks to which they’d been assigned.
“Take your places,” Sister said,
They all sat down, they were well-bred;
Both feet flat upon the floor,
Inside the desk, some space to store
One’s lunch, some books an not much more;
It was a litany often spoke,
By a nun, it would evoke
Long forgotten Sisters’ faces
Telling us to take our places.
—Sandra lee Smith
(Shades of St. Leo’s!)
