The Last Weekend Before the First Day of School

A long long unbearably long long weekend, torrents of water
and sideways-driving rain, trees down leaves blown, inside
with all the windows shut, over flows and blocked drains, time
for another cup of tea, and then ...

Silence. Wind gone, basil turning gently toward the sun,
there's no power but please let there be school, please
can we have this first day, she's so excited, no no no - wait
yes yes yes and there she is, my baby girl in a new dress
and mary janes and a backpack bigger than she is walking
up those stairs to start.

I have never felt so proud and so sad and so happy in all my life.
Happy first day of school, baby girl,
Amanda xx