It's the time of the day,

where kids can have a brief moment of peace.

It's where they can abruptly stop their work,

and fill up their empty bellies.

In a comfortable sized room, 

they all rush to various lines,

that serve to their taste.

Once the young minds cycle through their serving lines,

they follow companions to cramp tables,

in which they don't mind.

Happily, they munch on the low quality meal,

without too much complaint the salty after taste,

of their mashed potatoes,

and the dryness of their wheat bread.

They gulp down the half- frozen milk,

washing down last few bites of their lunch.

Then buzz amongst their little clan, 

about small things in their lives, 

cackling at bad jokes, 

and grumbling about class assignments.

For a half an hour,

the lunch room hums,

of  hundreds voices mixing together.

Then it's quickly hushed by the trill,

of the school bell.

The crowd leaves,

ready to finish the monotonous day.