Consolidation closed it. Two rooms, a privy,
Water pump with basketball goal hung
On the Water Maple, clay dirt pounded
Into stone by boy feet. Girls not allowed.  

Farmer Florence volunteered the land
Way back, knowing kids need to read.
School  reverts to him after they bused kids
Miles away. Tenants came, settled in.
   
Two rooms lent space for tiny kitchen,
Water by hand pump, Warm Morning
In a corner, tidy, snug shelter for farm
Hand, his woman and kids that came.  

Measles pounced first on one then another.
All took it well but the baby. He would never
Hear another word. A sight how loud he cried
Soon his mother took to leaving him outside.  

Deaf and dumb went hand in hand. the shame
Fell on their little house. Billy left with scant hope, 
But was best at tobacco cropping back then 
When good hand skill was enough to save him.

Holds a teacher now, transformed, cute. Fits
For walls missing readin’ ritin’ rithmatic, kids. 
Oiled floors now covered with fancy tile, newspaper
Wrote it up, yet schoolhouse look lingers still.