We said goodbye to my sister yesterday, a teacher for 34 years at St Paul’s C of E Primary School in Manchester. She was a brilliant actor as well as being a great teacher, bringing every story to life. Her classroom, outside the main Victorian school building was simply known as “The Prefab”. She also loved her garden and Spring was her favourite time of year. Writing this poem has helped bring some joy amongst the tears. The last two lines are taken from Mike Garry’s wonderful poem “Signify” – please watch him perform this online if you haven’t already.
Wet coats hung on little hooks,
Alongside Ladybird reading books
Mrs Bottomley’s booming voice
The Assembly bell, let all rejoice
Because we’re safe and warm within these walls
And the sun shines and its light falls
On naughty Jason’s messed up hair
Who scampered behind the church, a dare,
Because the sun never, ever reaches there
But in the prefab it’s always morning, always Spring
With luminous daffodils, offering
A secret garden to every wandering mind
No child is ever left behind
For here is where the dreams are spun
With wisdom, smiles, laughter, fun
As Mrs Stephens waves her wand
And lifts us to a place beyond
Sodium lights on sodden streets
And sagging clouds and the thrumming beat
Of rain on rain on reflected glass
Where grey, reflected people pass
I held her hand; we closed our eyes
And imagined worlds beyond the sky.
