When i was young you sat on a bench not a tree-
In a basket of wicker and plastic.
Swarms of jam covered fingers snatching and clawing at your freckled flesh.
I wanted to catch you but never could , you were always swept away into the belly of a child.

As we put pencils down
and our little leather shoes stepped from carpet to tarmac
A race began
"Free food" we chant when the sun hits 10
But it's too late. The pears have been eaten.

And when i walked home , my belly was all empty.
I looked up to my mother and I asked for pears.
'you wont eat them all in time'
I sighed
But i will mother or the other kids will eat them first.