The 9 AM Rundown

This poem is an attempt to capture the monotony and exhaustion that surrounds the law school experience: the chaos, spontaneity, and the overwhelming absurdity of it all that we have learned to live with, almost as if it’s some unspoken law of the land. The poem is written by Ashish Kumar (BA LLB 2028). The illustration is also by Ashish. He wishes to thank Maanya R (BA LLB 2029) for their invaluable contribution to the illustration.

Click clack chatter clatter

Chaos.

Shadows walk in.

Tap-tap.

Screeching chairs,

Settling in.

Mics whirring,

Morning yawns,

Thanos barks, Dobby whines.

"Ahh!" screams someone,

Couldn't hear it,

lost in the static.

Rundown begins,

He, she, him, her--you!

"Present, Professor."

One voice ends, another starts—

The cycle continues.

It's time now,

Open up the notes.

Click. Click. Click.

Hart is a positivist,

Austin is too.

Dead they are already,

What about you?

It continues,

Eyelids crashing,

Heads nodding, bobbing,

Snarky remarks and smart answers

a pinch of internal sobbing too.

Tip-tap, Tip-tap,

“Been at it for a while,”

A weird voice says.

Too many joints you think.

But no, it’s the keyboard,

whispering low,

“Let’s look at the random tile now,

wonder where those boyhood dreams go.”

Words fly by,

Clouds collapse overhead,

A laughter erupts.

Heavy, thunderous.

Outside, she stands waiting,

Time trickles slowly.

Tring!--the bell cuts through,

Shadows breathe out.

Break finally—

A moment of serenity,

How long will it last?

Soon enough, it starts again:

Click clack chatter clatter

Chaos.