Hall Hellos

By: Aaron

Today I’m a speed walking champion

Because I’m late, but just today

Okay third time this semester

My eyes meet familiar ones

Light up right away 

We pause for a quick breathless hey

I miss those days 

But some days it’s slower 

The ten minutes between class

As the sun shines in the windows of the hall

A fishbowl of friendships 

With 5 of us in a circle 

Sharing longer hugs, the best of all

Smiles extend from ear to ear 

Asking if you’re going to the protest later 

Against insert name of dictator 

An invisible bell rings for lecture and the fish scatter

I miss our ways 

Snow melts by the heat of midterms

I love economics, you hate it 

Doesn’t matter because we hug in relief 

Saved by the curve 

Saved by each other

A celebratory round of drinks

Our glasses high-five! Clink, clink!

Our time has flown by in a blink

I missed you, you say

...

A cough

A freeze 

Activities cease 

The next few months are barren, rough

Met by empty halls and eyes that puff

And now I wish I had one more hug