Dear Sir,

I would like to submit a poem, which gives the perspective of the TN Tatem Middle School building after the decision to permanently close it as a school premises.

The End

To you I’m just a building

Just some walls with mould infested ceilings

But to others I was hope, I was home.

And when it came to names, I didn’t lack

To Warwick children I was TN Tatem or Spice Valley

But to their mothers, I was Warwick Sec

I’ve seen babies turn to boys

And return with children as men

I’ve seen the evolution of toys

From jacks and marbles to fidget things in children’s hands

For something that is stationary

Oh, I’ve seen it all

From computers with hunchbacks

To them now hanging on the wall

I’ve seen friendships turn to fights

And back to friendships again

I’ve seen three generations of children dancing in the rain

I’ve seen all the dancing trends

And the music that is pop

From Michael Jackson’s Thriller to 2 Milly’s Milly Rock

The children treated me so well

Their spirits always kept me up to date

Much unlike my caregivers

Whom I can thank for my current state

I’ve seen lifelong friendships form

That was my favourite part

To a building, lifelong friendships are our favourite kind of art

It is a beautiful creation

That, unlike us, can fathom any storm

And creates lifelong memories

So a building can live on.

AQUILAH FLEMING

Pembroke