The Inkwell

#Socs #Shirt

I suppose you would call it

part of the kit

together with the trousers jumper and tie

of the school uniform

covering your top half with

areas for your head and arms to pop out of

always brilliant white – for a short part of the day

blue an alternative colour suggested by the head

of course you had to have more than one

mum and dad knew what you had for dinner

by the small spots of gravy, curry or bean sauce

collected on the front

grass stains on the shoulder

from rolling down the hill in the playground

and occasional bloodspots

tumbling onto the tarmac

smell of witch hazel and perfume from a patched up arm

or later fragrance from fun and games in the school yard