Passing high-school kids
hanging out in front of Manny's
leaning against
Impalas,
parking meters,
each other,
I remembered the nuns' warnings
of a world of black and white
as frequent as weather reports
on the radio,
as much a part of the classroom
as the squeak of their shoes,
the click of their beads.
Finally, in Mya, Sister Mary Ellen,
who smelled like our attic,
hoisted a storm warning --
"It wil be easier to be bad
in high school,"
she told us
and then explained how:
Necking
petting
dancing
drinking
dirty books
impure thoughts
missing
Mass
wasting time
cigarettes
condemned movies
and
the Seven Deadly Sins--
Especially lust.
I moved on quickly,
anxious for the storm.
_______________________________________
EXTENSION
This poem, appropriate for young adults, is insightful in its images and subject matter. The nun, in her constant,
weather report style is quick to remind all young people about the dangers lurking in corners. The warnings of the nun
are seen as overprotective and trite to most young teens, who want to know and feel what the world is like. The last
two lines in particular, perfectly describe the feelings of teens, anxious to explore. Most teens are simply curious
and desire the opportunity to make decisions for themselves, while adults try to control and protect.
Young adults will identify well with this poem. "Bad" can be used to explore the feelings teens have for adults
who try to protect them or perhaps control them. Discuss what in the poem is truly bad and what is just curiosity
and innocence.
