step 37: the south 40 at wash u
Over the years, Wash U’s underclassmen dorm area, known as the South 40, has undergone many changes — of the office chair, memory foam mattress variety. Now me, I’m sitting in an extremely wooden chair, failing to find a comfortable way to share a twin XL. Unfair? I think so.
As angry as I might be about the pretty European-looking new building with fancy glass coffee tables in the common room, I actually only have fond memories of my two years on the 40. In the midst of unpacking today, I found a poem I had written for Writing 1 freshman year inspired by a walk home on the 40 from class.
Super Sunday
The rustling of the trees;
Soft fluttering of wings;
Leaves that turn purple –
A bicycle runs by from behind.
The buzzing of planes in air;
Rumbling of a lawnmower;
Cicadas that call out –
A truck in revers shatters the calm.
The echoing last beeps;
Clattering chains on a cart;
Slow footsteps that patter –
A breeze races by bare ears.
The afternoon unfolds lazily –
The kind of day I like the best.
