First-Day Confusion

I watched the crying children,
Confused by their tears.
To me it was an adventure
My first day of being ‘big’.

A young blonde woman came to the door
And Dad whispered to Mum
That they didn’t have teachers like that
When he was at school.

She told our parents to return at twelve
And I skipped forward to follow
Into the building where I was to start
My development into an adult.

Looking back to wave to my parents
I watched the other children clinging;
Hanging onto their parents legs,
Screaming their objections.

That is my main memory
Of my first day at school –
Confusion at the fear of my fellows
When I was eager to start.