Poem 1

At the End of a School Day - Wes Mageepoempoem

It is the end of a school day
   and down the long drive
come bag-swinging, shouting children.
   Deafened, the sky winces.
       The sun gapes in surprise.

Suddenly the runners skid to a stop,
    stand still and stare
at a small hedgehog
    curled-up on the tarmac
        like an old, frayed cricket ball.

A girl dumps her bag, tiptoes forward
   and gingerly, so gingerly
carries the creature
   to the safety of a shady hedge.
      Then steps back, watching.

Girl, children, sky and sun
   hold their breath.
There is a silence,
   a moment to remember
      on this warm afternoon in June.

 

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