School Journey

I’m a mouse, a mouse Nervously leaving the cavernous hall of the house Five steps down from the door School bag straps half-mast Blazer sleeves touching my knuckles I am all buttons and buckles. A cobbled road to cross and then the church – Episcopalian – they’re pagans, like the Pope, my mother says. I mustn’t drag my feet I mustn’t tell a lie I must do well I mustn’t speak to strangers I mustn’t walk on the cracks Or I’ll go straight to Hell. Coming back I balance on wall-tops, I am Blondin on the Niagara Walking the wire. I go leaping down the hill Higher and higher Lighter and lighter I’m a bird, a bird I’m Daedalus, Hermes, a swan I fold my wings when I reach the top of my street Flying’s my secret. It wouldn’t do to tell I must put my earth-self on. Five steps up into the cavernous hallway of the house Now I’m a mouse, I'm a mouse.