The Pilgrim’s Protest

By Beverly Strobolakos

‘Twas the night before formal open dorms and none were at rest;
busy plotting and planning what would work best.
The theme was Disney, the mission quite clear-
to transform humble dwellings into stories brought near.
The day started early, running morning till night;
all working together to make it just right.
Better hurry, the judges soon will be here.
Quick into costumes, for alas, they draw near!
The characters stepped right off the screen;
Beauty and Beast, from the ballroom scene,
the Mad Hatter, Aladdin, Mr. Potato Head too
Buzz, Sid, and Mary to name just a few.
Palaces appeared in place of empty halls,
gardens and rooftops made from cinderblock walls.
Mad tea parties and enchanted forests filled our senses,
along with red roses by white picket fences.
Who would win? How hard it was to decide!
In the end it was the magic carpet ride,
That earned the prize and made East Two shout-
but our poor judges were left sorely worn out.
So away with the props, costumes, and glitter,
the dumpsters now filled with all kinds of litter.
Left only with memories to console through the years,
such as Dell in pink pajamas and kitty cat ears.