On your way to school

On your way to school, let your shoes do their walking…

over the hill, round the bend, and down the street,

… keep left, where those two roads do their forking.

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On your way to school, let those birds do their squawking…

in the trees above, let them chirp and tweet,

… keep low, when those swoopers do their storking.

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On your way to school, let them pitchers do their balking…

let them duck and weave, let them drag their feet,

… keep counsel, when them braggarts do their hawking

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On your way to school, hold the line that you’ve been chalking…

focus on the way ahead, be subtle and discrete,

… keep watch, take heed, but do it without gawking.

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On your way to school, let your shadows do their stalking…

let them be your buddy, be your bobby on the beat,

… keep going, don’t be the truant who is baulking.

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On your way to school, when roads all do their forking…

be the kid who knows his way, knows his way complete,

… be steady, let your footsteps do the talking,

… be ready, as daily you go walking.

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© Tim Grace, 13 December 2023