Two Poems

This poem was inspired by my observations as I waited for the bus this morning:

Outside the Menzies, Morning, December 2009
Foreign (?) beauties
congregate in a gaggle
around the plain airport bus.
Unheard conversations in foreign (?) tongue
and mysterious black handbags
accompany their uniform flight luggage
and immaculate uniform.
The tight buns of hair;
unwrinkled, sleek skirts and
perfectly made up of faces.
What do they hide?
What secret world of
air travel do they contain?
My bus arrives: uniformed,
wrinkled, paisley shirt and
unkempt, unruly hair - my
departure time has arrived
No mystery or surprise
this morning - just another daily grind.
If only my flight was
as exciting as their.

This poem was written as I sat with my class this morning on the lawn:

The Primary Tree
I wandered lonely though the grounds
Weaving amongst the playing throng
Carrying a blazer for lost and found
Wondering why it felt all wrong
When I sited standing tall, bright
A tree of such tremendous might.

Standing strong amongst the host
Its branches lush and green
It keeps its counsel: secure, close
Unambitious, fading into the busy scene
I wonder how long it stood in place
How many students have seen its face?

How long will it survive this well?
How many years will it see?
Will it survive redevelopment hell?
Will it witness a future 7P?
For now I see no end
Its untimely death I cannot comprehend

For once I return to cool staffroom
And sit in front of glaring screen
Waiting for a bell that goes too soon
To face a class not too keen
I will think back to her solid stance
And wish I was back in her enchanting trance.