Salvation At Last

By George F. Horne

August 7, 1987

Or
Here's How You Covered The Latest No-Show

At the end of the day, when adrenaline's down,
When your natural smile's been replaced with a frown,
When events of the day have near led you to cuss,
You're warned with a shriek, "We're missing a bus!"

No drivers remain-just a bus load of kids
With potential to smash both egos and ids.
Their moms aren't at home; their dads are at work.
"I'll wring the neck of that bus driver!"

"Call Transportation," you have presence to say.
There's just a recording: "We're not in today."
Their beepers turned off; no staff is at home;
So what should you do as you sit there and moan?

The Attorney has ruled your car you can't use.
"He's not been in this fix!" you angrily muse.
"No one at the high school!" you hear somebody bark.
You must get the kids home before it gets dark.

Beset by despair and profound aggravation,
What should you do in this situation?
You cannot give up. You're the Principal now.
You must find a school bus and driver somehow.

You need not decide...at least not today.
A change of events has brought luck your way.
As you stare out your window, you suddenly hear
From your students and teachers a very loud cheer.

As if heaven-sent in a bright yellow light,
A substitute driver has an end to your plight.
He appeared without warning from where you don't know,
But he covered the route for the latest no-show.

@ 2001 Copyright George F. Horne. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.