Cold Day To School 1955 Poem by Terry Collett

It was a cold morning
and I called in
at Helen's place
to walk to school

with her
but she wasn't ready
so her mum said
to stand by

the fire and wait
Helen was finishing off
her breakfast
we overslept

she said
and Dad had
to rush off
without breakfast

and I had
to help Mum
get the kids up
and I dressed

in the cold
and rushed
to get warm
but still I am late

don't worry
I said
it's only school
the warmth

from the fire
warmed me
and I stood listening
to the radio playing

some music
and Helen's
brother and sister
were sitting there

eating their breakfast slowly
get ready
come on now
get a long

Benny doesn't want
to be late for school
Helen's mum said
Helen finished

her breakfast
and went to get
her coat and hat
and I stood

rubbing my hands
in front of the fire
before venturing out
in the cold again

sorry about this Benny
her mum said
we overslept
not like us at all

but there you go
these things happen
and she went off
to the kitchen again

and Helen came
in her coat and hat
and her thick lens glasses
and off we went

her mum kissed
her cheek goodbye
and we went out
in the cold air again

and I shoved
my hands
in my trouser pockets
and we walked off

to school
but I could think
of a hundred
better things

than this to do
but we walked on
along Rockingham Street
in cold shoes and on cold feet.