first day at school br the commas, commas, pull stops, pull stops br even before i open my mouth to talk br br inspired by br br First Day at School br A millionbillionwillion miles from home br Waiting for the bell to go. (To go where?) br Why are they all so big, other children? br So noisy? So much at home they br Must have been born in uniform br Lived all their lives in playgrounds br Spent the years inventing games br That don't let me in. Games br That are rough, that swallow you up. br And the railings. br All around, the railings. br Are they to keep out wolves and monsters? br Things that carry off and eat children? br Things you don't take sweets from? br Perhaps they're to stop us getting out br Running away from the lessins. Lessin. br What does a lessin look like? br Sounds small and slimy. br They keep them in the glassrooms. br Whole rooms made out of glass. Imagine. br I wish I could remember my name br Mummy said it would come in useful. br Like wellies. When there's puddles. br Yellowwellies. I wish she was here. br I think my name is sewn on somewhere br Perhaps the teacher will read it for me. br Tea-cher. The one who makes the tea.