The Gate

Martin Silvester has been doing the school run lately for his grandchildren, which inspired him to write the heart-warming following poem …

The Gate

When you leave me at the gate, and turn and walk away,
I feel quite sad, will you come back? At the end of this school day.
I clutch my bag of lunchtime treats and my bottle full of water,
Did YOU feel the way I do…when you were someone’s little daughter?

We’ve been together every day…until I went to school,
Through cold days you kept me warm…in the summer kept me cool.
You taught me how to use the loo, you taught me how to talk,
You pushed me in a buggy…then you taught me how to walk.

Now as I watch you disappear, with all the other mums,
I wish the hours would fly by…till going home time comes.
I wish I could just…stay at home and play with all my toys,
Instead of being here at school…with other girls and boys.

I know you said, if I make a friend, I can bring them home for tea,
But I’m so used to just you and Daddy, my teddy bear, and me.
And when I thought I’d made a friend, to have home for cake and tea,
My teacher said..”That’s very nice..but I don’t think your mum meant me”.

So now we’ll go into our room, hang coats up, on a hook,
I hope it isn’t sums today, I’d rather read a book.
Well lunchtime came and lunchtime went, now it’s nearly three o’clock,
After PE I had a sob..when I lost my little sock.

Now I’m sitting at my desk, complete with coat and bag,
And our teachers moving round the room, to check our coats name tag.
We are ready to depart, there’s a million mums outside,
The teacher has a final look..are all your laces tied?

I clutch the little drawing that I’ve coloured for my mum,
I feel the panic rising..WHAT IF MUMMY DOESNT COME!!
Suddenly my name is called..I’m ushered to the door,
I don’t know why I worried..I’m safe in her arms once more.

© Martin Silvester 19/10/15.