reading aloud

The teacher started reading out

From the book he was to imbue

At the sentence stop did shout

Stephenson continue




The fear started to race my veins

The dread of what to come

Each boy will read a part again

No escape no where to run




Five boys away the sweat breaks out

Four boys away the dryness

The stench of terror wafting about

The tongue swollen with shyness




Three boys away can’t see the page

The terror now is gripping

The teacher will be in a rage

The class’ll laugh not stopping




I am next oh where’s the bell

To save me from this torment

To deliver me from hell

And the accursed ferment




The story I think has flowed till now

The falter soon is surely due

The story lost to me I know

I hear my name, continue



The page is white I see no words

I see neither lines nor spaces

The whole thing is just a blur

My heart beats are in races




The teacher walks down the aisle

Swinging with his cane

The heads turn as in file

Salvation down the drain




Hold out your hand

The pain is swift and quick

But it’s not the end

The punishment is six




He points to the first word

From which I must continue

It’s clear now not so blurred

But what it is I’ve no clue




I try to stutter and to stammer

This works mostly can disarm

Cane slams desk as a hammer

I shoot bolt upright in alarm




Continue boy he shouts in fury

I am sick and most unwell

If only time would hurry

Saviour at last there goes the bell




Noisy pupils making for the door

As you were be still don’t move

He bellows loudly from the floor

A finished Chapter he has to prove




The hooded eyes once hostile

Now have malice intent

I am holding up the break time

On revenge they will be bent




Brian whispers softly

The first word of the line

I listen quite closely

As we finish in short time




That is enough the teacher comments

Pleased with all his actions

Can be done with encouragement

In this mild form has attraction




The class file out the doorway

I am safely in the rear

The problems caused I will pay

Is more than just a fear




It’s years since school hegemony

I read books slowly through

The ones to read are many

The ones I’ve read are few




What makes mind drift way back

I was Car booting for electric’s

I see that book upon the rack

Emile and the detectives







I pick it up and have a look

Book will cost just 5 pee

Would you then buy that book?

If you were to be me