In a small school, I stopped to wonder
at a quiet room
all students working,
not one talking
not one walking
not one playing
I asked, "Do your children learn? They aren't talking."
"I'm sorry that you saw this," the teacher whispered.
"Yes, they do learn," she spoke in even lower tones.
"Why do we whisper?"
"My students learn privately.
That is not approved.
"My students learn quietly.
That is not approved.
"My students have ordered learning.
That is most certainly not approved.