burning down the house

i did not mean to try to burn the school down...
most days i like the school. it's where my paychecks are mailed.
i don't remember any particularly strong feelings of dislike for the school in my heart this morning. and yet i did try to burn it down. facts versus feelings.

the firemen had already been to school once today. we had a fire drill.
fire drills are great as a student. the lecture is interrupted. the test postponed. the assignment suspended. fire drills suck for teachers. loud blaring noises that jolt us out of our classroom cocoons, into the harsh natural light reflecting off black pavement.

the firemen came again when i tried to burn down the school.

i had really good intentions.
i had used all the paper in the copy machine. no one but a public school teacher knows how horrible it is to approach the copy machine and see that blinking paper light. the search that must follow.
i went to retrieve some paper for the poor soul who was sure to follow me at the copy machine.
it was a most noble mission.
i forgot about my popcorn.
i forgot for about 15 minutes.

i remembered when i smelled the smoke on the other side of the building.
i remembered when i saw the smoke billowing out of the now permanently stained microwave.
i remembered as little children were evacuated from their rooms, clutching their mouths, hoping for fresh air.
i remembered when the red red fire trucks came to school a second time.

ill remember for the rest of the day because my hair has retained the stench of scorched popcorn and cleaning supplies.
facts versus feelings.