Before, on days like this, we would have said
“Forget the planning!”, taken the kids out
To Rivelin to run around instead.
We’d bring a football. Tell them not to shout
Too loudly, even though we knew they would.
Old ladies tutting at their whoops and screams
We’d tell ourselves “the fresh air does them good!”
Try not to laugh when one fell in the stream.
The classroom’s empty now. The kids are all
At home. We hope they are. We do not know
Whether or not they heed the weather’s call.
We pray for gales, or pouring rain, or snow.
Oh kids, I know that it’s a lovely day,
But please, I beg you. Don’t go out to play!
Tom Juniper Poetry 