The Blind Man in School Paul, with new crutches, is cock of the walk; Letting two act panto pirates; or one A fairground stiltman; then in laughing turns Each play the fastest cripple in the world. Exclusive as the fingers in your fist Are the girls in their gathering. Elaine, She sees, is queen in her bright new bangle: Tomorrow there’ll be one on every wrist. And today will bring the blind man to school. He’ll come to talk, as he’s done for many Years now, to the children. He will explain That he’s just like us, but blind. He will Ask can we see alright all he has brought here; He’ll smile and show off the wares and the tools Of his blindman’s trade. Like a fallen fledgling They’ll hold him there; together they’ll whisper Yes; gaze on him, be near to tears, wish they Could have books with pimples, wear sunglasses All day; know it rains by some smart machine’s Tick; own that fantastic, foldaway stick! Tomorrow, when the sharp December hail Strikes our windows, in its million fragments Of shattered white sticks, we’ll wake as one in The darkness, fumble for the day in braille. David Homer The Blind Man in School is published in SZX, an anthology of contemporary poetry edited by Ian McMillan, published by Rivelin Grapheme Press (1985), available from bookshops, or direct from the publishers at, 199 Greyhound Road, London W14 9SD, f4.95 post free.

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The Blind Man in School

Paul, with new crutches, is cock of the walk; Letting two act panto pirates; or one A fairground stiltman; then in laughing turns Each play the fastest cripple in the world. Exclusive as the fingers in your fist Are the girls in their gathering. Elaine, She sees, is queen in her bright new bangle: Tomorrow there’ll be one on every wrist.

And today will bring the blind man to school. He’ll come to talk, as he’s done for many Years now, to the children. He will explain That he’s just like us, but blind. He will Ask can we see alright all he has brought here; He’ll smile and show off the wares and the tools Of his blindman’s trade. Like a fallen fledgling They’ll hold him there; together they’ll whisper

Yes; gaze on him, be near to tears, wish they Could have books with pimples, wear sunglasses All day; know it rains by some smart machine’s Tick; own that fantastic, foldaway stick! Tomorrow, when the sharp December hail Strikes our windows, in its million fragments Of shattered white sticks, we’ll wake as one in The darkness, fumble for the day in braille.

David Homer

The Blind Man in School is published in SZX, a n anthology of contemporary poetry edited by Ian McMillan, published by Rivelin Grapheme Press (1985), available from bookshops, or direct from the publishers at, 199 Greyhound Road, London W14 9SD, f4.95 post free.