Dear Sir...

Dear Sir, I thought it would be appropriate, to send a little note To tell you that I’m sorry for the nasty things I wrote The detentions that you gave me I know that I deserve After all, I did the crime and so my sentence I must serve I know not what I was thinking when I wrote such things of you It’s not like I’ve any reason to suspect they might be true To chalk them on your blackboard, for all the world to see Was a dreadful thing to do, even I’m ashamed of me Just because Mrs Thomas always blushes when you’re there Is no reason to suggest you are having an affair I am quite sure it means nothing that you drive her home each day So what if everyone knows it is three miles out of your way I feel I’ve done you wrong sir and yet, not only you But Mrs Thomas and her husband, have both been slandered too To suggest the bond between them is anything less than strong Well, what else can I say Sir, except that it was wrong I felt so badly about it, it was playing on my mind So I did a little detecting, their home address to find And I visited Mr Thomas, told him my mistake And of the weeks detention, that you will make me take I told him of my error, and how I’d caused such strife I told him what I’d written, about you Sir, and his wife I said I’m sure that it is innocent, the kiss I saw you give And all the kind lifts home, regardless of where you live Always leaving the staff room together, well I’m sure that’s not a crime Nor is sitting together in assembly, or dining together lunchtime Yes I told him of my error, and how I had been a fool And he said to tell you Sir, that he’ll be straight round after school. Yours Sincerely John Walters, 3B (First published in Poetry now magazine 2000) Written November 20th, 2001 © on Nov 20 2001 01:56 AM PST   10 • 0 • 14