Sunny Slope

Sunny Slope
My thoughts drift back to Sunny Slope,
Of days spent ‘neath your eaves.
It seems like only yesterday
We shuffled through the leaves

To tramp indoors at bell’s first gong
And scuttle to a seat,
To join in speech and yes in song
Our nation’s pledge repeat.

Then on to learn what must be known
From books at teachers’ hest,
The ones who choose what must be sown
That we may do our best,

And grow to serve both far and near
Throughout this land we know
As yours and mine, all present here
And those who lie below .

Our work aside – recess is here!
We close our books and dash
Into the hall to don our gear
And race to door en masse.

The door gives way to dreary cast
And icing on fresh snow!
Each child is probed by wintry blast
Each child seems winter’s foe.

Without a pause we slip the wind
And streak to shelter’s lee.
One grabs a latch just 'round the bend
And struggles in to see

A shaft of light creeps down the stairs
As door is pulled ajar,
And on the walls, some hung in pairs,
Are sleds both near and far.

Sleds for all who would go out
And venture down the hills,
And more for those who stay about
To seek some minor thrills.

The northern wind, it turns our cheeks
A rosy tint and glow,
It wends its way through clothing’s leaks
It packs a mighty blow!

But still we play until the knell
That signals recess end
Then go indoors, obey the bell,
And wait for heat to mend

Our aching fingers, frigid toes,
We stamp our feet and then
Turn from the fire, go back to rows
New lessons to begin.

And so it goes throughout each day
Much study and more fun.
And so it goes along the way
Until the school year’s done.

And then one day we reached an end
These lessons were complete.
A poignant pause,we turned a bend
And set off down the street.

But I think back to Sunny Slope
From time to time these days
'Tis fondly thought and full of hope
That others shared these ways.