So Young, So Brave

This very poignant poem was written by Robert Thomas … I’m sure many of us can relate to this  …

So Young, So Brave

“With eyes wide open I ventured forth,
And took the measure…all journeys ask,
One pace, one step, not boldly trod,
Tentative, cautious, no backward glance.

Out into a summer storm with its wind, its rain, its sting,
That beat savagely upon my freshly flannelled face,
Yet with back bent strong and leaning hard against the rage,
I set my cap, with peak pulled down, and soldiered bravely on.

And midst the company of others found a single purpose,
Meandering alleyways with paths well worn and trod,
Funnelled our snaking horde towards its journey’s halt,
Subdued conglomeration, pensive, unsure how the day would end.

The smell of soap and hair gel, of leather and cherry blossom wax,
Grew weaker by the moment then gave way to a scent of dread,
As imposing red-bricked buildings with their Victorian structured hue,
Expanded disproportionately…..with every fearful step.

Majestic gated threshold, with heraldic portals…hollow cast,
Heralded the way to a whistle-strewn quadrangle of human clamour,
Where thirds of milk, in crated bottles, were stacked high against a wall,
And a nearby trough had its fountain raked…. to quench the user’s thirst.

A line of smooth grey cobbled stones signified my journey’s end,
And unified by similar thoughts and fears we stood resolute as one,
Then suddenly, with a piercing shrill, silence reigned supreme,
With firmer grip I stood my ground, “No tears you’d get from me”.

Yet with moist and reddened eyes my Mother turned and pulled me close,
And whispered in my ear, “Be strong, it’s time, the moment’s come”,
Then like falling leaves our hands let go and without another sound,
Our lives moved on immeasurably….. beyond the comfort zone.

And with eyes wide open I ventured forth, reluctant to my cause,
And took the measure…all journeys ask and now my life demands,
One pace, one step, not boldly trod, nor fully understood,
Tentative, cautious, no backward glance…….my first ever day…..at school”.

©Robert J Thomas
18th May 2015