Chalk dust

Bum fluff shaved,  
spots freshly squeezed  
pull on my shirt,  
dirt round the sleeves.  
Polishing shoes
on the back door mat,  
hands now covered
in cherry-blossom black.  

Morning assembly  
senses off track,  
grin at the fainted kid  
with his colour coming back.  
Even though I listened,  
I’m not sure what was said,  
try to avoid hard knocks  
who tell me I'm dead.  
 
Tuck shop sugar rush  
Dr Death's chews.  
For god sake leave him alone  
and give him back his shoes.  
Slip into slumber  
hand print on my cheek,  
board duster alarm clock  
propels me from sleep.  
 
Lunch time arrives  
with the Ice cream van,  
don’t have much money  
so I scav what I can.  
Concrete buildings  
dark grey in the rain.  
Corridors yawning  
young minds to drain.  
 
Letter home to parents  
kept in for a month.  
have you been drinking Boy?  
Well sir, I had a glass with lunch.  
The boy doesn’t listen  
a distraction to the class;  
he cannot keep playing the fool  
if exams he is to pass.  
 
Nearly an adult now  
so careers advice I got,  
something beyond expectation please,  
sorry we think not.  
Last day
I walk away,  
no teachers now to nag,
left with a sense of achievement,  
new art work on my bag.