Playgrounds

Playgrounds are such gobby places.
Know what I mean?
Everyone seems to have something to
talk about, giggle, whisper, scream and shout about.
I mean, it’s like being in a parrot cage.

And playgrounds are such pushy places.
Know what I mean?
Everyone seems to have to
run about, jump, kick, do cartwheels, handstands, fly around,
I mean, it’s like being inside a whirlwind.

And playgrounds are such patchy places
Know what I mean?
Everyone seems to
go round in circles, lines and triangles, all moving colours,
I mean, it’s like being in a kaleidoscope.

And playgrounds are such pally places
Know what I mean?
Everyone seems to
have best friends, secrets, link arms, be in gangs.
Everyone, except me.  Know what I mean?

Copyright: from Walking On Air (Hodder Children's Books, 1999) © Berlie Doherty 1993, used by permission of the author

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Many of Berlie’s poems do not have regular stanzas or patterns of rhyme. But if you hear or read them aloud, you can hear how the words ...

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