School Days

At school I must have been naive, for I was told I must achieve. Add up, subtract even divide, equations, algebra must be tried, Nouns, verbs I had to learn, adjectives were my concern. In French we should pronounce our ‘R’s’ By making gargling sounds that purrs! In geography I learnt of places, of different people with different faces. In science the Bunsen Burner reigned, ‘twas Latin though I mostly feigned. We had PE and sports of course, but rugby I wanted to divorce, where Neanderthals often preyed on smaller boys just too afraid. Health and Safety didn’t figure, in playground games revered with vigour. Conker’s, marbles, a cricket ball, never ever mattered at all. We went to school in spite the weather, wasn’t shut for snowfalls ever! You ate your lunch despite the taste, for we were not allowed to waste! Teachers parade in a black cape, to which there was just no escape. Lining up where nothing’s spoken, the fear meant no silence broken. We enter class in silence thus or *caned if you dare make a fuss. I’m older now, in later years, I’m not deranged, I fought those fears. I must admit I wouldn’t swap my school days for this modern lot, Where mobile phones now reign supreme, No thanks I wouldn’t be that keen * caned was a corporal punishment