Back in school

                         

I dreamt I was back in school

Work in class and fun in the gym

Swinging high on the trapeze

Looking at te pretty girls

Who then look shyly away

Or stick their tounges out at me

Doing homework in bedroom

Parents say "Apply yourself"

Hoping that I'll be famous

Because I am not mundane

Was told off for acting up

Longing for a break in class

Or the sound of final bell

So I can walk to gardens

Were there are some swings to ride

Achieving a high curved arc

Like defying gravity

With kids gaping at my feat

Saisfying need to unwind

...the alarm rang...I woke up

Image from www.pixabay.com

The girl that looked my way

Even as boy I remember rivers

Brother and I leaned over a bridge

Throwing sticks in the flowing water

Just for the fun and just for the feel of it

Taking off our shoes and socks wading

On the uneven bed of the stream

With a stony bottom and waving reeds

Then drying off before we'd meet Mum

Limbs becoming stiff with the cold

Silent and wondering why we did it

Then having to run over the crosswalk

In time to catch the next bus home

Such was our routine on holiday

Escaping home, and school and boredom

Before resuming the class monotony

Reading books that were boring

But admiring the girl that looked my way

Hoping one day to have dated her

Or at least signed her autograph book

Illustration found at www.pixabay.com

When we were poor

 When I was but nine years old

The war had ended but I was cold

Almost everyone was poor

We wanted much but there was no more

Lucky us found house to rent

A few miles away heaven sent

But move meant money had run out

Should have started at new school

My shoes had worn out - I'd look a fool

So stayed home until one day

Man knocked on door and said "Hey"

School inspector knew I should be there

Mum explained I had no shoes to wear

He nodded "I'll give you one more day"

Mum borrowed money for shoes to pay

From her sister who had no kids of her own

Who liked me so happy to make loan

Her house was close to the school

And waved each day to this little fool

Something very similar to the above did happen to me back in 1946!

Being a small thing

I remember me being a small thing
When I was young oh so many years ago
All was big in my world, dad, mum and brother
First of all things suited me fine back then
Cuddled, fed, cooed and wet my diapers
Not knowing that there were lots more capers
Like crawling on the floor getting grubby
And as a wee child wetting my nappy!

These small things pass as indeed did I
Once I criedfo r milk and change of nappy
Now was brother who made me unhappy
Who saw me as one who stole his mum
So he teased me when she was out of sight
Getting me tro climb on the furniture
Once leaving me on top of the table
As getting down, I just was not able!

Lucky being small lasted a short time
At five I had to go to the junior school
But at playtimes we could all play the fool
Running, jumping just to unwind outside
Seeing the girls skip was no disgrace
And so being small was not half bad
Learning things inside and outside as well
So now then I could my story as well 

Image found at www.pixabay.com

One dark and dirty night

I was leaning against the bar
Steamed up as I had lost my girl
Glittery lights flashed far and near
It was the season for good cheer

Not drunk so much but stomach churned
A crowd of revellers came in
And shuffled up to buy their drinks
Pretty girl looks at me and winks

This lass did cheer me up a lot
As she grins whilst still with her crowd
More people now surge through the door
Must be trippers a the coach tour

One brief moment she touches me
I grab that moment and so kiss her
"Thanks, my first kiss tonight" she says
Liked her lots, told her "My name's Les"

"How about you, is your name Jean?"
She laughed out loud, "Would you like that?
"No, just that you seem familiar"
"You're right, were both in school's last year"

Image found at https://pixabay.com/photps/search/bar/?pagi=12

She kissed me

It's to my shame I tell you this
I was twelve before my first kiss
I'd kissed my Ma and Pa but not
The audacious leap to kissing girls
Was not possible despite the lure
Of their flicking hair and eyes allure

At age of ten I took a leap
At girls in class I took a peep
One shy blonde girl smiled back at once
Knew her name from the class rollcall
So I walked her home at half passed three
At her door, what surprise...she kissed me!

But young love sadly tends to flee
Next Monday she glanced not at me
Learned love affairs were risqué games
Especially when laughed at by friends
But teenage years made me much more bold
Found girl of my own and boy she was gold!

Words used: Audacious, Risque, Shame

Image found at https://wwwfreepik.es/foto-gratis/nina-mirando-su-companero-clase_866040.htm

A kid again

No zero tolerance in my day
Just  knew that I'd mucked up
I would have to stay in and not play

That was the rule both home and at school
Swinging legs in my seat
Wanted to cry but I'd look like a fool

Then at last minute allowed a break
To go to the toilet
This was my playtime for goodness sake!

I much preferred to run around like mad
Teacher patted my head
"Be good next time" I saw she was sad

Perhaps she was human after all
In the playgound I went
To race round about until bells call

Others had been there so grinned at me
But I recalled her eyes
She wanted to be what I could be

Young and skipping and jumping with glee
A kid again like us
When back in the classroom she smiled at me

Image found at https://pixabay.com/en/children-classroom-students-kids-2067/

The boy at school

As a boy at school
Bore sarcastic percussion
From my Latin teacher

'Twas Taffy Jenkins
"What would your Mum think of you?"
Still drums in my brain

As those years rolled on 
His admonishments grew cruel
"You are less than dust"

So he translated
"Beneath my chariot wheels"
So the whole class laughed

Later I left school
And without Latin to help
I am what I am

I had a great job
Then came to Australia
A successful life

Think Mum was quite proud
But I cannot tell him that
As he is long gone

Image found at https://www.mylondon.news/lifestyle/lifestyle-opinion/note-self-old-school-classroom-6727115

Back in the '60's

I recall the misty mornings as a child
Getting up, bus to school then running wild
Dashing around the playground before the bell

Sitting in our classroom with an attentive look
Reading pages from a most boring book
But studying Maths was worse before the bell

Eager to rush out for the morning breaks
Running, laughing, playing until we would ache
Then back inside at the call of that bell

When finally at last we were set free
We'd catch the bus to take us home with glee
Before ourstop we would have to ring the bell

Then dash down our road where we had begun
Say "Hi" to Mum then into the woods would run
Then play in the trees and streams and bluebells

Cool breeze soon told us it was time to go home
So crossed the farmers field of ripening corn
Saw the old church and heard its tolling bells

When we got back Dad was home from work in town
Gave Mum some bluebells, she said so it's Spring!
Cooking food's smell was like a calling bell

After Dinner we found Dad was in a good mood
Suggested movies at drive in for the brood
He then said "Hope it doesn't rain pell mell"

Image found at https://daily.jstor.org/why-drive-ins-were-more-than-movie-theaters/

Different eyes

How can you see me with different eyes?
Just how can you see where truth really lies
I am not as so many others see me
Do believe me as I am trustworthy

You now look askance at me, I feel blue
They have invented lies that are not true
You're really the prettiest girl I've seen
And I love that your pretty eyes are green

Please let us walk home one fine day
I promise I won't hold your hand. Okay?
That is unless of course you want me to
We can do whatever you want to do

Of course I've noticed you for some time
You should have checked your mum, as she knows mine
Yes, it's okay to walk home now and then
 But not everyday, I will tell you when

And don't invent stories of what we do
For what we say is between me and you
We will do that and then see how it goes
And I like that you have a long straight nose

There is one more thing that will have to be
Don't start saying you're going out with me
We'll be friends as we live close, you and I
And no kissing yet...until by and by

Image found found at http://elisephillips93.blogspot.com.au

Just a memory

                                                              Crepuscule 
                                                                           Heinrich Kuhn (1897)                                              

I remember Tommy White
Tussled hair and not too bright
Stayed out late one autumn night
Lost his way the little shite

Fell into a ditch the fool
Landed face down in the pool
Typical of him the tool
Won't see him again at school

Used to sit right next to me
Now I've got a girl named Bea
Whose eyes are a joy to see
Tommy's just a memory

She lives near the aerodrome
We hold hands as we walk home
Prefer it there and don't roam
While inside her hair I comb

Tommy White I do not miss
I don't even reminisce
For now I have Bea to kiss
And you could say life is bliss

Image found at http://parpools.typepad.com/notes/2013/06/love-one-another-hand-in-hand.html

Monsters lurking

Childhood is not always happy times
With cuddly mums and nursery rhymes
Being once safely in your bed curled
Then cruelly taken to school's real world

Where real monsters fought and played with you
With twisted wrist and a punch or two
On playgrounds there's nothing you could do
But run into class and cry boohoo

The rule of law was you did not tell
You would confess that you only fell
But going home Mum was very cross
To find your innocence was now lost

But as soon as Johnny's Dad found out
Started to teach how to box and clout
Soon the monster lurking at the school
Met his match, was made to look a fool

Image found at https://aifs.gov.au

The children watched her

The children watched her
And she watched them too
As the mixture of play
And learning began that day

Would the boy with red hair
Stand behind a barber's chair

And the girl with eyes so green                 

Be actress on the movie screen?           

Blunt scissors, crayons, paint                    

Shapes drawn bold or sometimes faint   

Budding artist or engineer                         

Filling the page without a fear                 

Telling tales in the school                         

At home playing in a pool                        

Learning numbers one to ten                    

Head bent, hand now holding pen                      

Seeing kids’ knowledge grow                   

Creative minds emerging slow                 

Then one seeking much more to know   

Knowing they will have far to go               

Years pass you meet them again             

How they’ve grown, a small stab of pain 

“Thanks Miss you really were the best”
An inward smile, you've passed he test

Image found at www.123magic.com

Schooldays remembered

Young Ted was a rebel
And always up to not much
Hiding in the corners 
To keep from teachers touch

When on the sportsfield
He'd find a shady bower
Open up his fag pack
To wile away that hour

I'd join him once or twice
To share a cigarette too
Were the the plucky twosome
But got the cane, Boo Hoo!

Image found at www.dazeddigital.com

School in the 1940's

When I first started school in the 1940's it seemed I was put in a wolfs lair to be bullied at whim by all the older boys as i was totally unprepared. I wsa happier being by myself watching enemy planes flying overhead looking for a good place to drop their bombs but luckily they never chose our town ...much, unless they were on the way home being turned back by our Spitfires and Hurricanes so decided to lighten their load anywhere they could then get home quickly for tea...or schnapps.

School was a battlefield too especially if you were unprepared on the first day of the month. The bullies would then sing out to little kids like me as they came to school “A pinch and punch for the first of the month’ and then as quick as they could they would do just that simultaneously pinching your upper arm then punching you anywhere you hadn’t been quick witted enough to defend. Then to make matters worse if you quickly answered correctly “Rabbits” they would follow up shouting out and presenting you with “A push and a kick for being so quick”.

Kids have it so easy these days.




Image found at www.pinterest.com

School in the '40's

In days long gone
Treatment was harsh
Cane was handy
Teachers threw chalk at us

Keep you voice down!
Pay attention!
Speak up will you!
Come out here for the cane

"Don't" was the rule
Don't talk in class
Don't run inside
Don't start whining now

There were good bits
When the bell rang
Playing football
Walking home with friends

Our Art mistress
Sat at her desk
Sucking cough sweets
And didn't move her butt

Except to search
For her purse or 
her handkerchief
In her undergarments

Taught us nothing
Draw that vase here
Now sketch some trees 
She finally retired

Young temp came in
Smile on her face
Gathered us round
And talked to each of us

Gave us a task
Then as we worked
Walked round and spoke
To encourage us all

We all liked her
I felt special
Might even be
An artist just like her

...and I was


Image found at www.pinterest.com

I hate poems

Sitting in class
My body tenses up
As I battle the foe
English grammar again

Each Monday morn                         

Sentences me to hell                     

Lingering torture                            

Tense over tenses 

We’re encouraged 

To write just a quick draft            

On any topic we like                    

Essay or poetry                                 

I hate poems                                     

And feel so redundant                   

When others put up their hands   

To voice their opinion                     

"Do not forget                                     

Start with introduction                     

Say what you want to say              

Then a conclusion"                         

"When writing poems                       

Repetition is good"                           

She drives home every point        

Only fragments remain                  

Pity my brain                                     

Excess information                          

So write about football                                    

And how I loved that game                        

I hand it up                                                        

I get such a good mark                    

She says you have great style 

By writing what you know      

Image found at www.old.ubyssey.ca

Can I walk you home?

She longed for him as he was tall and sporty but he never seemed to notice her at all.

Yes, she was a bookworm and he seemed to be such a gentle person when he wasn't playing football; not that she watched the games but that is what the boys talked about all the time.

She turned one day in class and found that he was staring right at her so she gave a little smile then turned back round again trying not to blush.

However that incident was enough, he was waiting for her at the gate as she went to catch the the bus home and he was grinning as he asked her "Can I walk you home?"

Her heart skipped a beat but she said "But won't that take you out of your way?"

"No" he replied, I found out you lived quite close to me but if we walk I'll have much longer time to talk to you."

Image found at www.zhinsta.com

The best day ever

The alarm bells rang
A spider shook in her web
Wasps buzzed angrily

School was so boring 
But this was so exciting
Drill or the real thing?

Sunny afternoon
Walk to the assembly zone
Pulling and shoving

Clumsy Jack fell down
The teachers all looked so cross
Begrudging the time

Wanting to teach us 
About molecules and stuff
Now shouting commands

A crow watched us all
Then cawed his derision
At the gathered crowd

The whirling sirens 
Were now heard at a distance
Coming to save us

Boys looked eagerly
At the two red fire engines
and all the firecrew

Little Sue Bevan
Was crying for her mother
I thought it was fun

Imags found at 1. www.online.tarlton.edu
                        2. www.crookprimary.org.uk

How times have changed

Visiting my place of birth after so many years I spied an old building that looked familiar that had been built in the 17th century during the English Civil war and added to over the years; how those brick walls brought back memories.

This old Grammar school in England which I attended so long ago had changed me from boyhood to youth and set me on the road to adulthood for it had made me what I am.

I parked my car and walked in through the entrance gate and found it was no longer a place of education for it was now converted to retirement apartments and no longer rang with the laughs and shouts of children but was a home for quieter persons such as myself.

In that room over there they told us the king had died and now we had a queen and up there in the headmaster's study I had received the cane for misbehaving.

I closed my eyes and I could imagine the games we played in the schoolyard and my nose could sense the playing field with newly mowed grass for us to play our sport on and I felt like weeping.

In my last year there I was admonished for holding hands with a girl as I walked home with her; how time have changed. 

Image found at www.heritage-explorer.co.uk