CIRA Center

A Poem by Ernest Hilbert

              Samuel Powel School, West Philadelphia

I remember a day. A morning storm
Abandoned the sky. You held my hand;
We stood together there and glimpsed the form
Of a smoky monolith through a stand
Of construction cranes in the steamy autumn;
But it was all the while a tower of glass
That nonetheless thrilled us like magic for one
Moment while distance softened its silver mass.
You slipped my hand. Tiny head down, you trudged
To enter the school, but not before you
Cast one last look back, as the line nudged
To the inevitable door. You blew
A kiss to me as if a dandelion’s
Celestial seeds were gathered there
Awaiting a promised breath to return
From your small palm into October air.

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The First Day of School in First Grade, IPPA photographer, 1978

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