An innocence gone
Wingrove Road School, Miss Kerr and the coronation
which we celebrated in the school yard in 1953.

What a sunny but windy day that was
when it blew our music teacher’s summer frock
above her head, and headless,
revealed in all their hilarious pomp and circumstance,
suspenders and stocking tops.

We laughed with her as she held back the hem
but soon the baton raised
it happened all again
in dollops of second helpings.

It made a big impression then,
and even now, nostalgic regret
that simple modern tights
have put entirely out of mind.

But though the coronation mug and coach,
sceptre, sword, are lost,
the expectant memory her baton raised remains,
and I smile again in joyous praise for a youth
and innocence which is gone.
Charles Gardiner