School Days 1945

The smell of bacon frying in the pan
And coffee brewing on the old wood stove
Each morn aroused my nose. My feet would land
On naked floors so chilly from the cold,
And shivering in my tattered flannel gown
I'd hurry to the kitchen where I'd find
My mama baking biscuits big and brown,
And crackling fire to warm my cold behind.

Outside I'd hear the wind so harshly blow
And wish that Mom and Dad would change their rule
That nothing short of sleet and freezing snow
Would let me stay at home when there was school.

I knew it was no use to raise a fuss,
So I ate up, then dressed and caught the bus.

Copyright © 1995 Ruth Gillis

First published in RB's Poets' Viewpoint May 1995