Lessons

We learn how to count

How to add

And subtract

Multiply and divide

The intricacies of maths

We learn all our letters

Our words

How to spell

How to read

How to write

So a good tale we can tell

We learn all the colours

How they shade

How they blend

How the light

Makes a rainbow

When it refracts

When it bends

We learn about history

Words on pages

Words of war

Words of discovery

Of science

Of what's happened before

We learn of

art

music

and dance

Of sport

of games

Of taking a chance

We learn to try hard

To come first

To compete

To strive to be

The fastest

The best

And the smartest

To set the pace!

We learn what's been

What's happened before

We're taught to do better

To want and do more

We've learnt it's about having

Not giving

We've learnt it's about doing

Not being

We've learnt it's about telling

Not showing

We've learnt it's about me

Not the whole of humanity

But when we learn to value

peace

love

freedom

and choice

When we learn to

Listen to others

Not just our own voice

When we find

contentment

humility

and grace

Well they are the best

Lessons in this

Human race!

Wendy Bremner