As once they did, before arraignment,
they case the joint for entertainment,
And, finding none, revert to creatures
with wild, distorted twisted features.
In restless fits, the inmates rumble
from mood of either rough and tumble,
To screams sufficiently demented
to keep a lion tamer tented.
I cannot hang them by the thumbs,
and thus my warden’s role becomes
A race involving Hari-Kari
and sweet approaching solitary.
Stir-crazy children, on vacation,
while Mother, Keeper of Probation,
Implores the Heavens strength to give ’er
till Autumn sends them up the river.