In Anticipation of a Year Out

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=95 BGCOLOR="#9999CC" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="047005f0ezuabz.gif"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>Living Language</B></FONT><B>     </B></div> <bR> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=190 BGCOLOR="#CCCCE4" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Living Language"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chasing the Sun"><U>Chasing the Sun</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="poetry.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Past Midnight"><U>Past Midnight</U></A></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c8bf000000.gif" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">In Anticipation of a Year Out</B></div> <div> <A HREF="poem.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Christmas Tree"><U>The Christmas Tree</U></A></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=385 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="04996963.gif"> <div> In Anticipation of a Year Out</div> <div> A poem by Sue Woodward</div> <div> <IMG SRC="05b0f0e0.gif" border=0 width="271" height="270" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="2" VSPACE="2">At the edge of the beach she stands,</div> <div> Loose cotton billowing,</div> <div> Naked toes exploring</div> <div> The warm sand beneath her feet.</div> <div> Backpack by her side,</div> <div> Each compartment containing</div> <div> A fragment of her life.</div> <bR> <div> Building blocks and fuzzy felt,</div> <div> Ludo, Cluedo, Plasticene,</div> <div> Barbie, Cindy, Kaleidoscope,</div> <div> Skipping rope and Germolene.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Early schooldays, pinafore clad,</div> <div> Treacle sponge and lukewarm milk,</div> <div> Twelve times table, chant it loud!</div> <div> Nativity play in angel's silk.</div> <bR> <div> Algebra and calculus beckoning,</div> <div> Netball practice - don't be late!</div> <div> Pin up secrets taped to desk lid,</div> <div> First love waiting at the gate.</div> <bR> <div> TV shunned and lamplight burning,</div> <div> Textbook open, no time to call,</div> <div> Midnight vigil, morning panic,</div> <div> Silent rows in cold school hall.</div> <bR> <div> At the edge of the beach she stands,</div> <div> Golden hair flowing,</div> <div> Outstretched arms embracing</div> <div> The freedom that is hers today.</div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>