Starting School Poem by Frederick Nellist

My very first day at a place of learning
Five tears old my stomach was churning
What was my crime to deserve all this
Dad took leave with a smile and a kiss.

A clanging bell my head was ringing
Into a big hall, everyone was singing
What in the heck was I doing there
Then I sat down at a desk and chair.

A lady named teacher gave me a book
Told me to open it, take a good look
To help with my reading and writing
No pictures to see, not very exciting.

Didn't take long to get the hang of it
Taught to wipe my nose and not to spit
Adding up some numbers and taking away
It'll come in handy one day I dare say.

Eighty five years later at my old school
A few specks in my eye, silly old fool
Those far away days too good to be true
The name of my school was Valley view.