One Of Three
Friendships at school can be tricky – even more so if there are three of you.
I’m one of three, I’m one of three
Locked in anxious rivalry
Wracked by worry, fear and doubt
That I’m the one to be left out …
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Unexplained Behaviour
This poem is more serious in tone and thinks about what may be behind a child’s behaviour.
I’ll be quiet and do as I’m told
If you’ll only let me be
The grown-ups will think that I’m good as gold
I’ll make sure there’s nothing to see
Whatever they say I’ll agree
I’ll never be caught with a frown
Daily life will wash over me
While inside I slowly drown …
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The Suitcase
A bit of a sad poem about the power that smells have to evoke memory.
The Suitcase
When I was thirteen, my school arranged a trip
to explore the peaks and valleys of the Lake District.
Three hour walks through hostile weather
to spend our nights in hostel bunk-beds: what joy.
Consider the geological wonder of the rock formations
they said.
Mess around with your mates
thought I.
But aching, rain-soaked limbs were a price worth paying
for a week’s worth of sleepovers….
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The Mosque Trip
I wish this poem wasn’t based on real events …
“Me mam and dad won’t let me go,”
was all the explanation he had given.
And Miss Davis had just nodded
and written his name, ‘Jamie Kelly’, on a list under four others.
“I really want to but …” he had tried to say,
but the way his teacher’s eyes stayed sad as she smiled
Left him unable to finish.
So there it was.
While the others got an afternoon away from school,
he would be put with the babies in Mrs Garth’s class.
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