Is it the blackboard where I learnt my ABCs?
The way I tripped over my own feet, scarring my knees?
Waking up from sleeping next to my Nan in her great bed?
How it hurt when plaits were pulled tight to my head?
My gnarled, grumpy, loving Grampee
Telling me stories as I sat on his knee
Of Susan the Officer-kicking Mule
Or perhaps my first day at school
One seat left, next to John Searle
Happy to be friends with a lonely girl
The teacher who was angry that I could already read
My joy at being there, suddenly free
To learn everything and to love books
In which no one cared about a girl’s looks
My heroes were always boys and men
Not many strong women in stories then
My friends the boys were rough and poor
Never cared what dress I wore or tore
Quiet, pretty and sweet seemed to be the rule
But I learnt another way at my first school
Copyright © 2019 Kim Whysall-Hammond
……I was trying (at the suggestion of a friend) to write a short account of my girlhood for my sons, and this poem came bubbling out…….
Quite a darling read….enjoyed it…I suppose they shall also.
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I hope so! They don’t tend to read my poetry.….
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That was marvelous in every way.
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Thanks, Violet. Much appreciated!
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love this – sure takes me back to those heady days
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Hi Maureen, the poem just wrote itself, as the memories came flooding back.
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they’re always the best poems
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Yes, they are!
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Beautiful in it’s innocence
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What a lovely thing to say, thank you….
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You’re welcome
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Did you read Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm? I like the poem, especially the books and looks lines. : ) Rebecca
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Oh, yes, Rebecca was a favourite borrow from the local library! I read everything I could get my hands on as a child. When I was 13, I discovered ’84 Charing Cross Road’ and ended up reading all the books Helene bought …
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What a cool way to get book recommendations! I’ve read a selection of their correspondence as a part of a book of romantic and platonic Love Stories, and I’ve seen the movie. Time for me to read the complete book!
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I’m sure you will love it. I confess that I found several of the books she ordered really hard going. One was very rare, and came by courier! (In 1970’s England that was amazing). I imagine that most are free on the web now….
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Sounds like you’re a true intellectual like the woman in the story. Cheers! Rebecca
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No, I was just determined….
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You’re very humble, and I’m impressed at your determination. : ) R
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Excellent poem and great memories.
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Thanks! I’ve yet to get any further in my memoir, though….
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Kim, I really enjoyed these memories from your childhood. A delightful read! And it brought back a few of my own memories. Great poem!
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Thanks! I’m really glad it brought back memories for you….
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I loved it…adorable and I read it with a smile. I hope your boys read it one day xx #Senisal
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A lovely poem and great memories to have. Found it on the #SeniSal
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Thank you Clive, I hope you’ll enjoy some more of the poems on this blog too!
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I’ve just followed, so I should see plenty more 😊
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