1

The rounded belly brings to light its fruit
That bawls in protest at its sundering from
The fleshy comfort of the womb.
A mother's breast is the first and foremost
There, although a bottle with its powdered
Liquid more than merely helps to satisfy
The childish wish to stay alive.

2

The present world requires a child to read.
In a small council school in Lancashire
Two sister teachers, Phyliss and Miss Kirby,
Set us to work on Moses in the bulrushes.
The story's told as we roll our plasticine to form
His basket ready for the Pharaoh's inspection.

3

Sunday's the day when Catholics and Protestants
Ensure their children get a push
Along the road to right religious truth.
Know-all sceptics stigmatise such guidance
As nothing more than blatant brainwashing.

4

At secondary school the lucky lads are taught
By a teacher of biology
Who clearly loves the language of his craft:
And makes his students heed his concepts
By the music of his sentences.

5

Across the UK, Hull's new university
Allowed the skiving student to get by
And graduate while dabbling fitfully
In student politics and moping mournfully
In Cupid's tempting kingdom.

6

The world's his oyster so some said as he
Embarked upon a lifelong teaching English
Literature, encouraged by a few
Well-meaning folk.

7

Old age has brought the real McCoy: one flat
Above a ground floor one that separates
A man and wife who manage to meet over
Three ample meals a day.