Poems by Carolanne Murphy
First Day at School
So this is my first day at school.
Feeling so tiny
I hold my mummy’s hand.
I don’t wanna wear my wellies.
Where will I put them?
‘I’m scared mum,
Do I have to go?’
Cars splashing,
Rain falling.
I still remember that smell.
Iron railings,
An old, old building.
‘Mummy , please stay with me
I really don’t wanna do this alone.’
All the other kids look so big and tough.
Standing in a line now
Waving to my mum.
A tear runs down my cheek
And I want to go home.
I feel lost and small.
The other kids don’t talk to me.
One snatches my glasses
And stamps on them.
I don’t like this place at all.
I really want my mum.
I hold my pencil in the wrong hand
So now the teacher isn’t smiling.
A little voice tells me
You will get through this.
And ten years later
I walked out of school
Without a second glance.
You can get through anything
You know.
If you have a mind to.