This poem was written by a high school student at Callendar House in September 2025, during a workshop delivered by Never Such Innocence, in response to Diana Forster’s art exhibition Somewhere to Stay.
James lived down the road from me
Ever since we were ten
We’d ride our bikes and climb up trees
Go sliding round the bend.
—–
Until one week, November’s end,
He didn’t come to tea.
He told me that his mum had said
We’re no good, people like me.
—–
He didn’t cry or say goodbye
He simply walked away
I sat and wished with all my heart
We’d meet again some day.
—–
Years gone by, the day did come
Though much had seemed to change
For all his mother has slagged me
His daddy and I, we’re one and the same.