Poem: School Days

 

School days

 

A day within my life it seems so very long

I wake up with the lark, and listen to his song

The chorus of the bird song echoes in my ears

And as I climb out of bed, I retrace back those years

 

For I remember long ago when I was a small lass

Waking to the bird song, But Crows did craw alas

Ice from my window I did scrape to see the trees

Shivering and shaking as I felt the morning breeze

 

My first task of the morning was to light the daily fire

As I held up the paper and shovel it could take up to an hour..

I can still smell the soot, as back down the smoke did blow

 And birds would peck the milk tops, on the steps in snow

 

The porridge pan would burn, as I forgot to stir

Combing and brushing my little sisters hair

Shoelaces and school ties I did have to tie

And Mum still in bed, as we all said our goodbyes

 

Pulling up my school socks with elastic garter rings

School satchel on my shoulder, with teeth a chattering.

Red berry for a hat that was neither here nor there

Fountain pen that leaked, But no one seemed to care

 

Skipping in the school yard, and assembly singing songs

Religious instruction we’d all go to our rooms

School dinners that were wholesome, sponge pudding too.

Teachers got respected, as we were told what to do..

 

I now looked in the mirror and saw reflected me

And reached down, and began to rub my knee

My eyes misted over, in silly flood of tears

As I remembered those school days, back all those years..

Dreamwalker