An Education. (Work in progress)

Poets, painters, actors, dancers,

Hang your garments by the door,

Leave your dreams and aspirations,

You won’t be needing them no more.

 

Leave at home your secret wishes,

Let desires burn in flames,

Answer clearly ‘sir’ or ‘madam’

As you hear your given names.

 

Today’s activities as follows:

Sit in silence, listen well,

Keep your questions buried deeply

And copy down the lies I tell.

 

Your personality’s forbidden,

Creative thought best left alone,

If you’re caught in search of innovation

We’ll warn your mother down the phone.

 

 We’ll tell her that you’ve been corrupted,

And spread infection through the class;

Unruly behaviour catches quickly

Thanks to one pain in the arse.

 

And if, like you, dear mummy questions

Anything we say or do,

We’ll let her know this institution

Prob’ly isn’t right for you.

 

You’ll soon be shipped to other schools

Or moved to lower sets,

But don’t get caught up breaking rules;

There’s a tin man in you yet.

 

Regardless of ability

In English, maths or history,

Obedience is what we need

From academics who achieve.

 

Your teenage years are not in place

For you to challenge norms,

What students come to us to learn

Is how best to conform.

 

It doesn’t matter what your school,

No matter what your set,

You’ll live according to the rules;

There’s a tin man in you yet.