Tuesday 11 September 2012

~ First Day … ~



It’s happened to us all that first day of school,

that mixture of excitement and dread

Sick to the pit of my own stomach

viewing that huge school in red

 But all too soon the day quickly dawned

striding in stout laced up brown leather shoes

To change out of when I eventually arrived

into one’s more suitable instead

 

we were placed in our classes

Of which I knew barely a few

When a girl swished me glance

with her black shiny hair

And the widest of grins she drew

 

‘I wonder if there’s any ink in those’

She’d observed of the inkwells in the desk

When she stuck her finger into the pot

And then boy, did she make a mess

 

Lifting her finger replete with pot

Revealed it was full to the brim

And In her attempt to shake it free

right over her  head it skimmed

 

dribbling right down

onto her brand spanking new

gymslip, jumper and shirt

and with the form teacher not yet come into view

the sight must have given  a scare.

 

she was one and the same girl

Who in our chemistry class

Induced awe and wonder

at the Bunsen burners igniting gas

and proceeded to set fire to her hair.

 

‘What was that smell’, we’d all declared

When the teacher responded with fright

We’d all jumped back when we saw the smoke

But she completely was oblivious to her plight

I believe these days protection is supplied

But we were hardy things back then  

Albeit somewhat naïve and perhaps even worldly unwise

 

Of course needless to say

She became a best friend

remaining so to this very same day.

 

So life as it is has many surprises in store

Just take a deep breath, dive in and explore

 But make sure you know which way to sway. J

37 comments:

  1. In the last week so many children here in the UK were going back to school after the summer break, some for the first time, from tiny tots in reception through to 'big school' made my thoughts drift to one of my own. Lib

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  2. haha such fun rhyme, you give a chime. We all just have to dive in sometimes too and hope the surprise are good ones. Glad I have no more first days of school too.

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    1. glad you liked it Pat, I know thankfully those first days of school are behind us x x Lib

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  3. Loved this story. I was one of those who was "sick to the pit of my own stomach" when starting back to school. But did make some nice friends such as you did. She sounds like quite a character. :)

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    1. she was :) certainly took away that fear :0 x x Lib

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  4. OMGoodness.. I bet that was such a mess!~!
    I remember those desks with the old ink pots built into them and yes, they were usually full.... lol
    Now I feel oldddddddd!
    Great poem!

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    1. heehe yes, especially on the first day :) they had them desks for years didn't they, not sure but think everyone shares a table now x x Lib

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  5. Lol, pretty funny story, I’m glad it turned out well though and she became a best friend.

    When a Bunsen burner gets your hair
    Only the bald is left to spare.

    (btw, please turn off the CAPTCHA, it is difficult to comment)

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  6. We had those inkwells here as well...and how I recall my braids being dipped into them by the boy who sat behind. Also remember, I was the only kid on the street who flunked kindergarten. LOL. I couldn't handle the brown mats we had to sew w. thick yarn, and I was forever throwing up. Oh, you bring back memories, Lib, in this charming piece! Thank you for sharing, sweetie!

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    1. Ha!! she sat behind me as well, pulling at individual hairs and in turning around with a shout of OW that hurt! the teacher told ME off. typical boy prank that can just imagine must have thought made a good paint brush. Think you and I would have been good mates in school Jacquie :) x x hugs Lib

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  7. ha. she sounds like one that might get you in many an adventure for sure...i remember desks with the place for the inkwell....you def took me back in this...smiles.

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    1. yea we got into some scrapes and adventures :)) x x hugs Lib

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  8. Your best friend is so curious and fun to be with ~ Very nice share of your childhood days ~ Delightful ~

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    1. thanks so much Grace, yes curious she was indeed and such fun # lots of laughs :) x x Lib

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  9. My grade school had desks like those but we had to supply our own ink. Funny and endearing story of a girlfriend - who could not embrace her? Lovely poem!
    Also wanted to thank you for your support all along, and for your kind and encouraging words on my blog. Much appreciated!

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    1. thanks so much Gay for your lovely words, yes such a wicked spirit :) .. I adore and love all your poems always have - support of you and them is easy x x x sending love always Lib x x x

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  10. I had one of those desks and one of those friends! Nostalgic write and so full of life---

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  11. Life does have surprises...so great you are still best friends.

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    1. thanks Ayala - yes so many surprises hopefully the good outweigh the bad x x hugs Lib

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  12. oh the memories.... just wonderful.

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  13. Gosh, does that take me back. I was always nervous on the first day back, plus we moved twice, taking me to new schools, having to make new friends. Loved getting new clothes though lol! Your poem evoked bittersweet memories...Thanks for the memories ~ Great write Lib xox Ŀ♡ѴƐ ஆ ❤

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    1. Oh yes the new clothes they were good weren't they - remember my Grandad getting my cardie, I loved it, snuggly warm in a longr length with pockets in a beautiful shade of blue - that was when I went into the bigger classes can see it now - sending love and hugs Helena - Lib x x

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  14. first days and last days . . . its how we punctuate of time isnt it? the nerves, the unknown and the excitement . . .

    lifes landmarks -
    always a great subject

    because we can all relate :D

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    1. thanks Aaron, odd isn't it as you say 'how we punctuate time' - unforgetable landmarks x x Lib

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  15. Super-fun story. My girl just began her first full days a few weeks ago, and my own gut clenched in the remembering how that felt. And your friend sounds like just the right way to begin.

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    1. Aww I know you feel for them don't you as they stride out - I hope that went well for her and for you - yes that friend certainly broke the fear x x Lib

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  16. I moved 28 times during the course of my school life and so had too many first days. You evoke a strong sense of the mixture of fear and fun.

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    1. thanks Anna 28 times !!! I can't begin to imagine how that must have been making new friends new beginnigs all the time - firt days - hope you had a huge measure of fun Anna x x Lib

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  17. hey i wonder if fred stole the idea for his prompt from you...smiles...i remember this one....happy sunday!

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  18. smiles...she sounds like my son..he managed to do things like this as well...always enough excitement where he was around...smiles

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    1. sounds like he keeps you in smiles Claudia x x

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  19. love how you incorporated your early memory of school with such an inviting tone. I had a real difficult time of adjusting to school life in my early years, actually switched a couple times just because my parents didn't think I was adapting properly-and I still remember, one of the earliest things I can remember, how I once told my parents, it's not me, it's them who can't adapt to me--lol I was an odd bird back as a child, guess still am, but things definitely got easier later on. Thanks for somehow conjuring that memory and for sharing with is. Thanks.

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    1. thankyou Fred for opportunity - great prompt - poor you but glad things got easier - x x lib

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