Such careful practice of gargling "God save the Queen"
With antiseptic mouthwash,
But the occasion for it has never arisen.
Boarding school, bullied and bullying
Rankles and racks.
Aeroplane, "don't call it a 'plane'"
To visit one parent.
Aeroplane back to visit the other.
Ten year sentence,
No reprieve because I know that's what you want.
Reading Orwell's essay on his school
Realised mine was on the same road.
He was lucky, his burnt down
Obliterating attic wives.
They bulldozed mine,
Summerdown,
Some small satisfaction,
To make an extension to the boys' playing fields next door.
They were always eyeing it up anyway
Unless that was our navy blue gym knickers.
Children know much they cannot say.