Mrs. Gibbs

Ducking and diving
Bending and swerving
Chasing the thrill of flying high
Freedom in my hair
Freedom in my space
Holding onto the ride
Like a child with a doll
Master of my destiny

I’m tired, dead tired
Walking to class
Left my assignment at home
Nearly missed the bus
Orders from teachers
Joe and me talk
His fight’s at home
No money to spend
His dad ranting and raving
Maths homework not finished
The bell rings
Hungry
Finding my books
Can’t find my diary
Can’t find my lunch money
A rotten day.

Lit by the fire
His face warm in the night
Holes in his socks
No place to go
No home in sight
Next day on the prowl
Like some hungry cat
Lean and tired
Forgotten by his family

People laughing at me
Some say it looks funny
I don’t care
People stare
Eyes from behind
Whispers in the corridor
Is he the same?
Blonde feels the shame.

Men stepped out of the car
Mere shadows in the night
The slam of a door
The glass on the floor
Those sleeping inside
Unaware of the menace
Fear in their steps
Searching for evidence
In the cold dark cupboards
BANG!
A shot in the night