Yesteryear's schooling... |
Sunny Slope My thoughts drift back to Sunny Slope, Of days spent ‘neath your eaves. It seems like only yesterday We shuffled through the leaves To tramp indoors at bell’s first gong And scuttle to a seat, To join in speech and yes in song Our nation’s pledge repeat. Then on to learn what must be known From books at teachers’ hest, The ones who choose what must be sown That we may do our best, And grow to serve both far and near Throughout this land we know As yours and mine, all present here And those who lie below . Our work aside – recess is here! We close our books and dash Into the hall to don our gear And race to door en masse. The door gives way to dreary cast And icing on fresh snow! Each child is probed by wintry blast Each child seems winter’s foe. Without a pause we slip the wind And streak to shelter’s lee. One grabs a latch just 'round the bend And struggles in to see A shaft of light creeps down the stairs As door is pulled ajar, And on the walls, some hung in pairs, Are sleds both near and far. Sleds for all who would go out And venture down the hills, And more for those who stay about To seek some minor thrills. The northern wind, it turns our cheeks A rosy tint and glow, It wends its way through clothing’s leaks It packs a mighty blow! But still we play until the knell That signals recess end Then go indoors, obey the bell, And wait for heat to mend Our aching fingers, frigid toes, We stamp our feet and then Turn from the fire, go back to rows New lessons to begin. And so it goes throughout each day Much study and more fun. And so it goes along the way Until the school year’s done. And then one day we reached an end These lessons were complete. A poignant pause,we turned a bend And set off down the street. But I think back to Sunny Slope From time to time these days 'Tis fondly thought and full of hope That others shared these ways. |