Magnesium Paras

 
Magnesium ribbon
Not the only thing
I stole from school
I stole chemicals
Wood work tools
Stationery of course
Several teachers
Reading spectacles
Extra comestibles
In the dinner hall
But my all time
Favourite was
Magnesium ribbon

Green, shiny, plastic
Paratroopers, toys
Parachute attached
Six of them clutched
In my grubby hands
These, not ordinary
Toy Paratroopers
I had modified them
Attached to their backs
With silver duct tape
A six inch length of
Magnesium ribbon

I would wait for the
Darkness of night
Take the elevator
To the top floor
Of the high flats
Then the stairs
To the flat roof
Night tine was crucial
For the best effect
Of magnesium ribbon

I would unfurl the
Plastic parachute
Hold it over the edge
Then I would light the
Magnesium ribbon
And let them go
One at a time
Magnesium ribbon
Burn with a strong
Bright white light
They looked and floated
Like angels, my angels

Up on the roof top
I happily mixed
With my angels
But down on the
Ground I mixed
With demons