I stood very still in the doorway
Laughing chatter assaulted my ears.
I'd come to see twenty five ladies,
I'd not seen for twenty five years.

The memories came back of our Form Room,
Girls who rarely did as they were told.
I looked at the group massed before me,
Our hair now more silver than gold.

Any fears that I had were unfounded
As we talked: we had so much to say
We told tales of our lives since we'd parted
And the years between melted away.

We laughed as we shared many memories
Of navy blues nothing would shrink;
Of uniforms everyone hated
And teachers we'd driven to drink.

Though we may have all changed on the outside,
We relived our teens once again,
Laughing and giggling like schoolgirls
As we all were 'remembering when'.

We'd come from all over the Country
And some of us came from abroad
But the journeys were certainly worth it.
Of that, we were all in accord.

The day, it went by very quickly.
We were saying, “Goodbye,” far too soon.
As I left them, more memories came to me
Like a long half-forgotten old tune.

It really has made me feel younger,
Though never for youth would I seek,
There'll be Spring in my step, I am certain
When I pick up my pension next week!

I met you at the "Do" on Saturday.
Together we remembered how we grew
And worked and laughed and yawned and wept and played,
Before life played its tricks on me and you.

The rooms are smaller - gone the oakbrown desks
Where once we carved our names - or his - or HERS!
Prefect or teacher, rebel, sporting star -
Untroubled by what modern thought infers.

The panelled hall, the gym, the field, the pond,
Caretaker's cottage, drive and entrance hall,
The head's room furnished back in '24,
And sense of refuge, hardly changed at all.

Your sprightly step now falters but your eyes
Still shine, belying years of foul and fair.
I see my friend unchanged, though old in years,
A schoolgirl smile - and pussy willow hair.