Summoned by Bells (excerpt)

Walking from school is a consummate art:

Which route to follow to avoid the gangs,

Which paths to find that lead, circuitous,

To leafy squirrel haunts and plopping ponds,

For dreams of Archibald and Tiger Tim;

Which hiding place is safe, and when it is;

What time to leave to dodge the enemy.

I only once was trapped. I knew the trap -

I heard it in their tones: "Walk back with us."

I knew they weren't my friends; but that soft voice

Wheedled me from my route to cold Swain's Lane.

There in a holly bush they threw me down,

Pulled off my shorts, and laughed and ran away;

And, as I struggled up, I saw grey brick,

The cemetery railings and the tomb.