Poetry Magazines - The best collection of poetry magazines online - Simon Armitage

Way back in 1947 when I was just a boy
Winter weather came as lots of joy,
For in February month it snowed and snowed
With a northerly wind that howled and blowed.

We walked as usual to our school each day,
As all the children well knew the way;
Those in the country came by bus,
And all was done without any fuss.

The school was fired by coke and coal,
Heat to keep warm both body and soul;
The pipes were frozen in the WC
Until, a blowlamp let the water run free.

For those unable to go home for a feed
Then a hay box met their urgent need;
Cooked elsewhere, then packed in hay,
Our country children hot dinners had every day.

The light was by gas, made in the town,
A sure supply which never let us down;
As for our teachers, they got to school,
Pupils did, so for them the same rule.

Sixty two years later, weather’s the same,
But now we have someone to take the blame,
As Health and Safety assesses the weather,
Which in turn close schools altogether.

Possibilities were someone might break a bone,
If you slip in the playground or coming from home;
The caretaker is told, he’s not put down enough salt
So he’ll take the blame as it’s all his own fault.

Needless to add the school could be sued,
And legal action will be eagerly pursued
But parents, who wanted their children taught,
Said, why close? As it did not snow a great lot.

When I was a boy in February ’47,
Snowy school days were like being in heaven,
As we were taught by those who had not become tense,
But judged such weather conditions with common sense;