Childhood

Prompt 1

Sometimes, writing about things from a different perspective can be easier, as we are one step removed - for example writing as 'he' or 'she' in the third person instead of 'I' in the first.

Think about something that is going on in your life at the moment, good or bad, perhaps a problem, or a question you are puzzling over, and write about it through the eyes of your five-year-old self. What would that child have to say? How would she view it? What feelings would she have? Put the issue /problem at the top of the page and write without stopping for six minutes.

Prompt 2

Read Roger McGough's poem about his first day at school then look back to your own first day, or an early memory of school, and write about it. As usual, don't worry about spelling, grammar or punctuation. Feel free to leave any comments.

A millionbillionwillion miles from home

Waiting for the bell to go. (To go where?)

Why are they all so big, other children?

So noisy? So much at home they

Must have been born in uniform

Lived all their lives in playgrounds

Spent the years inventing games

That don't let me in. Games

That are rough, that swallow you up.

And the railings.

All around, the railings.

Are they to keep out wolves and monsters?

Things that carry off and eat children?

Things you don't take sweets from?

Perhaps they're to stop us getting out

Running away from the lessins. Lessin.

What does a lessin look like?

Sounds small and slimy.

They keep them in the glassrooms.

Whole rooms made out of glass. Imagine.

I wish I could remember my name

Mummy said it would come in useful.

Like wellies. When there's puddles.

Yellowwellies. I wish she was here.

I think my name is sewn on somewhere

Perhaps the teacher will read it for me.

Tea-cher. The one who makes the tea.

Roger McGough

https://www.poemhunter.com/poem/first-day-at-school