ALEX.

It was called Alexander Street School,
Although it was at the end of Edinburgh,
And the road whose name it bore also
Wore a second sign declaring Alexandra,
So confusion reigned from the get go.

Especially where the brick structures were
Concerned upon the playing fields of the Infants;
Some said fallout shelters from the last war,
Others, tombs from which no kid who ever
Entered was seen again or recalled before.

And those climbing frames that were attached
To the walls of both schools, and didn’t seem
To have a purpose, or apparently attachments,
And were banged for their clanging before being
Subsequently banned by the headmaster.

And the gate to the Juniors where family ties
And their internecine conflicts, started over the
Breakfast table, could be continued at break time,
And older kids would sell sweets or less healthy
Contraband to the eager litter on the other side.

And after a preset dinner of yesterday’s leftovers
We’d lift the lid off a pig swill bin in the playground
And retch at the contents that were tomorrow’s,
And try not to fall or be tipped in by the big
Lads who’d make you take a swallow.

And when you mentioned you fancied that lass at
The back everyone asked her to go with you and
Were told by a sweet tuneful voice to fuck off;
So you bragged about false conquests in the bright
Sun of summer to other ten year old jerk offs.

And in the last year I sat next to Aky, the most
Popular kid in the school, and basking in his light
Was given status, but still couldn’t get any action;
We copied each other in tests and wiped our noses
Under desks and generally got done for distraction.

But the strangest thing was the tiny plot of land that
Remained when they razed it; I sat there one day with
A nod of fondness for two schools worth of history,
As my family picked up a brick for me, which I have
To this day, to remind me of that place’s mystery.