hard to believe it’s been fifty years
since a drove of dreamers gathered
to launch learning in a cornfield we
began in town though bcz the site
was silt no structures yet nor seats
(we floorsat at first) – but what a
grand time we had then and since
class could be held anywhere though
mine once met blindfold on the square
– in a cement yard – on traintracks – by
the luminous lake – we were evicted from
a bank too the door slammed behind us
times have changed of course but SSU-UIS
is fully fixed a star in state and springfield’s
crown let’s give huzzahs for this auspicious
anniversary. doff our floppy hats to fifty more!
2020 Jacqueline Jackson
This article appears in Bye Bye Bernie.
