Recess in a small square space

Din of playground echoes - 'round the courtyard bellows,
Shaking off the tin roof - bouncing bodies sun proof.
Orange, black and brown shapes - flapping screaming legs race,
Atoms clashing, fighting - "Chase him! Catch him! Bite him!".
Hands and feet are clapping - stomping rhythm beating,
Groups are jigging patterns - laughing, winning, losing.
Rough and tumble, boisterous - concrete corners vicious,
Food is shared and stolen - punches fly, then all done.
Bags and clothes are dusty - blood from knees runs rusty,
Faces wet with weeping - sympathy is fleeting.
Bow-legged child looks lonely - finding chat then set free,
Shuffles 'round in circles - dignity hangs so loose.
Older kids in classrooms - shut out the din with heads bowed,
Some are working so hard - disengaged, the bold bored.
No bell clangs the time, but - pairs of legs skip, walk, strut,
Hoards squeeze into doorways - peace again this square space.