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It was the end of the end of term
end of the year
if the gods were favourable, the end of university
and perhaps, the end of zero gravity.

The last class
of the last day.
He is good this professor
lively, interesting
free of pomposity
must have been doing this to 25 years – at least
but still presents with boyish enthusiam.

At the beginning of class
not the obligatory obituary for the year
but announcement
“ we should get finished in 15 to 20 minutes
if all goes well.”
Code: if all shut up, we’ll be out of here in double quick time.
Got it – loud and clear
exactly 15 minutes …..“ I think that’s all I’ve got.”

Books close
papers fold
bodies twist upwards.
“ Oh, oh … before you go … one more thing
I’m an old man
sometimes I get a little cantankerous
so humour me
please, answer the question I have asked,
not the one you preferred I’d asked.”