The River

right at the back of the classroom 

near the prime numbers display 

   and the choke of coats and pegs and PE bags 

she pretends to listen to her teaching talk about the future 

about high school about jobs and inspirations 

but instead her lips make plans of their own 

shaping words to the song she never needed to learn 

    the river in me runs wild and free 

        flowing out past the land to the sky and sea 

she half smiles as each group is asked 

to discuss amongst themselves 

      their hopes and dreams 

    because she’s certain absolutely certain 

not one of her tablemates would understand could understand 

the power the pulse the pull 

       of the song she never needed to learn 

the river in me runs wild and free 

      flowing out past the land to the sky and sea 

    she taps her foot through the air and looks out 

beyond the playground 

beyond the crowded houses the city-centre mindscrapers 

beyond the distant rim of black hills 

     out to the horizon where she stands alone 

         where she has always stood alone 

singing the song she never needed to learn 

the river in me runs wild and free 

      flowing out past the land to the sky and sea